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IX Library 




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^ 



p*' ■ ■ 

' SACRAMENTAL 

MEDITATIONS AND ADVICES, 

orounDeb upon 

[^ SCRIPTURE rsxrs, 

PROPER FOR 

COMMUNICANTS, 

i. TO 

P-PlMp«rc tbeir Hearts, excite their Affections, quickca 
their Graces, and enliven their Devotions on SA- 
CRAMENTAL OCCASIONS. 

AlCD LIK.EWISE USEFUL 

To promote gracious Dispositions and R'^solutions in 
Christians, at all times, upon the Rcmembraace of a 
Cruciecd JESUS. 

TOGETHER WIT*! A * 

SHORT CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY, 

CONSISTING OF 

Forty Scripture Directions Iproper for all Christians 
intending Heaven : And a variety of Scripture Songs 
for ZzonS Travellers in their way thither. 



To which are added [by way of APPENDIX.] ^ 

I, A Lecture concerning the Inftitution of the Lord's 

Supper, on i Cor. ix. 17. to the end. 
XL A Preparation Sermon, from Jo(h. iii. 5. 
IIL An Action Sermon, from Cant. ii. 4. 

"' "' 'i '^. "j . 
^7 theRcT • Mr J. WILLISON, late Minifter at D undw. 



EDINBURGH: 

F^UfTED FOR THE BOOKSVilAASA* 

MT.OCC.XCllX. 



■K- 




">ii]^yov^'-^' 




PREFACE. 

THE eternal Son of God* when taking his leave of an iingi*ate- 
ftil workU inftituted the facramcnt of the Supper, as » lively 
refemblance and memorial of his bloody fufferings and death in 
the room of his people ; and alfo to be a bright and tailing evidence 
of the amazing love of God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoil» to 
perifliing finners. 

Ab God once fent his Son into the world in a lowly habit, cloth- 
ed Vith human fleQi, to fave finners ; fo now he fends him in a 
bomely drefs, clothed with the elements of bread and wine, to af- 
' ioce'us of his love, and to engage us to come to him. Kings ex- 
peA that their children will be refpe<Sled, though their offuers be 
neeleded. Surely (faith God) « They will reverence my Son;' they 
f will make him welcome, and hearken to him. 

In this moft auguft ordinance of the New Teftament the Great 
God appro^bches very near to us, ind we to him ; and yet it is to 
be deeply regretted, that many who profefs to believe this, come 
to it with fo little thought and preparation, and with fo much in- 
dlflTerency and cace^eflhefs of fpint. Oh, fhall we venture fo near 
the Great God, who is infinitely holy, in whofe fight the heavens 
are not pure, and in whofe preftncc tlic fun and Aars are dimmed^ 
and the brighteft feraphlms do gather in their wings, and account 
Uiemfelves as little flies before him ! and fhall wc, who are crea- 
tures fo mean and fo vile, be carelcfs and unconcerned, v/nen wc 
make the nearefi approach to this great and holy Go. I, that we 
can make on this fide heaven. 

Ought we not to go blufhing, aihamcd, andVeepIy humbled on j 
many accounts, and particularly for our ingratitude for redeeming 
love, that ' love which paHeth kno'.vijdge>' and for our cogtempt 
of •God's imfpeakablc gift,' the g.tateft fin in the world ; yea,. 
we flioiild go wondering that we are out of hell, for many thou- 
fauds are burning there, who have not finned fo heinoully, in ma- 
king light of precious Chrift, as we have done. 

Moreover, Reader, confider if you go to this ordinance unpre- 
paredly, or with indifference, you not only make light of the 
Lord Jcfus Chrift, but you are * guiltv of the body and blocd of 
' the Lord,' i Cor. xi. ^7. Surely that word m.;y caufe you to 
quake and tremble : blood-guiltinefs of any fort is a (beadful fin, 
aiid efpecially to be guilty of the * blood of the Lord.* Murder 
is a fin. that, cries for vengeance on the adtor, and gives God no 
reft till he punifh it. Gen. iv. 10. * The voice cv£ \\v^ V\QfOajrf%> 
* blood crietii to me from the earth.' If it be 2l et^xxv^ ^vcv yi twtk- 
der a common perfon, what muft it be to m^der ^ Vvcv^g^'. *- '^^'^ 
^ can ^etcb forth /iw hand dgainft lYie Lx>rd'a w\oYnX.t^> ^sA^^ 
'guiMcfs:' J Sam, xxyi. 9. O thea, wYiait a crime rreaJ^'v^^^ 



iv PREFACE. 

murder the eternal Son of God, who is thy exalted King, thy t 
lafling Father, thy dear Kedecmcr, and tliy God who gave thee j 
a being. Child-murder is a heinous crime, but what Chrift-mur- * 
der i?, no tongue can till ! If on him that flew Cain (that wicked 
man) vengeance ihould betaken fevenfold, what vengeance will 
be taken on him that crucifies afrclh the Lord of Glory ? Thi» - \ 
coniideration ihould make all of us afraid ofcarckfs and unworthy i 
communicating. 

If wr would communicate worthily, wc mnft be eameftf not 
only for the life of grace, but alfo for the livelinelV of. grace ; not ! 
only for the tnith and fmcerity of grace, but likewife for the ac- 
tivity and vigorous exercife of grace. So that a believer himiclf 
doth not eat and drink worthily, unlefs the grace that is in him j 
be excited and exercifcd at this ordinance. There muft be sot i 
only faith in the truth of it, but there muft be faith realizing, ap« A 
plying, appropriating, and making ufe of Chrift's death and pur^- 1 
cliafe ia this ordinance. Not only muft ther^ be a difpolitiou ' 
cf foul to be humbled for fin, but there muft be a<51ual mourning 
and mehing of heart for fin, and foF particular fins, when we look 
on him we have pierced by them. Wot only muft there be a prin- 
ciple of love to Chrift, but alfo an exciting of love to flame out 
to Chrift, who loved us and give himfelf for us. 

Worthy communicating being a work of fuch importance, the 
following Scriptural Meditations and Advices are humbly offered 
to Chriftians, as an help in their preparations for it. Reading and 
thinking much on the fubjedls here propofed,, may thro' God^s 
hlefling, heufefiilto promote their habitual preparation for the ho- 
ly fnppcr. Chrift's body and blood, herein exhibited, are pure and 
holy things, and (hould be received in prepared and cleanfed hearts. 
His body never faw corruption in the grave, nor will be mixed 
with it in hearts wb^-e corruption is allowed. It lay in a virginV 
v.'cn.b, and in a virgin fepulchre, and will ftill be entertained la 
vircrin fouls and affections ; in hearts purified and confecrated to 
God In thcfe Chrift chufts to refide, and not in thpfe where fiu 
and the world, with the lufts thereof are harboured. Oh, had we 
grace to maintain and cherifli the fear of God, and the love of 
Chrift habitually in our fouls, we might, without much pains, be 
prep.ired for coming tQ him at his taJ)le* 

Did we always bear in our minds, that facramental occafiona 
are folcmn appointments, and Bethel meetings with God, for re- 
jiewinjo: covenant, and entertaining fellowlhip and communion 
witii him, we would guard more againft formality creeping in up- 
on us in our preparations for, and in our attendance upon thii 
<;rdinance, than, alas, we do. Oh, fuch formality will provoke 
tjie ra after of our folemn feafts to withdraw from them, and then 
whatjDoor, dry, melancholy, andlifelefs things will they be ? What 
are the /kcraments without Chrift's prefcnce \ti\.Vitm? O ktut 

fiever be fatisBed with communion fabb^ths, 'waVio>A cotkck^macsiv 

'^'fA C^j-ia la thczQ. 



PREFACE, » 

->jpn the other handy if we would keep up communioA with 
0ltnfi in thefe ordinances, let us beware of relyiftg on our previ* 
chK; pains or preparations, either for our right performing of ouf 
duty, or for our acceptance in it : For we are never more ready 
to mifcarry, and to be difappointed, than when we are guilty of 
this refhng. Sundry go to the Lord's table with great humiliation 
for fin, and vet come away without comfort : Why ? becaufe they 
make a Cfazift of their forrow. O what worth can we fee in our 
beft preptfttions, confefTions, prayers, tears, humiliations, &c. if 
-we compare them with th<» law of God ? We have more caafe to 
"be afhamed of them, than to lay'any ftrefs on them. Could we rc^ 
ncmnce all felf-conficience, and difclaim all our provifion in point 
of dependence, and caft curfelves wholly on Chrifl for itrengthj 
dpough-bearing, and acceptance, we would have better fuccefs at 
t£e Lord's table, than commonly we have. 

^.We are never more fit for this holy table, than when we are 
moil humbled, aad moft afhamed of ourfelves, becaufe of our uil' 
fitnefs for this folcran approach ; and we are never lefs fit, than 
* "when we think ourfelves moft fit and prepared for the duty. A 
holy Aniednefs to all felf-fufficiency, and a deep fenfe of unwor- 
thinefs and unfitnefE, is the beft preparation we can attain to for 
this Jblemn ordinance. Let us make holy David our pattern, when 
going to partake, Pfal, Ixxii. i6. * I will go on in the itrength of 

* the Lord God : I will make. mention of thy righteoufnefs, even, 

* of thine only.' And let us pray with the Spoufe, Cant. iv. i6. 

* Awake O north wind, and come thou fouth, blow upon my 

* garden; that the fpices thereof may flow out.' Amen* 



Dundee, AucvsT, 1747 



CONTENT S; 



SACRAMENTAL MEDITATIONS. 



Page 



MEDITATION L Heb. xi. 7. A crucified Jefus the &-. 
liever'sArk, "* 5> 

II. 2 Pet. ii. 4. Fallen Aligels punifhed, and falleaMen fpar* 

ed, 13 

in. Pfal. cxlvii. ao. Britain's Gofpel mercies Siibjcifl of Praifc, x© 

IV. I John iii. i. The amazing love of the Father and of the 

Son to us, X^ • 

V. PfaL viii. 4. The condefcenfion of the Great God to Man 
admirable, a5 

VI. I Cor. X. 4. GhriftourRockyfrnittenaxuiftreamuig, high- 
ly ufeful, 7,6 

VII. Zech. xii. 10. Chrift pierced for our Sins,- a Heart affec* 

ting Sight, • 30 

YIIL Luke xxii. 61, 62. Chrift's Look to Peter melted his 

Heart in Tears, * 33 

IX. Matth. XV. 27. Often trials are (harp where Faith is 
ftrong, • • 37. 

X. I Cor. xi. 24. Chrift's fufierings worthy tor be remember- 
ed at his table, 41 : 

XI. Phil. i. 33. Communicants oft in ftiaits betwixt two 
which of them to chufe, 45 

XII. PhiL iv. i^ Rich Supplies in Chrift for all our Needs, 49 
Xin. £ph. iii. ip. The Dimenfions of Chrift*s I.ove pafs 

knowledge, 5 a 

XIV. Luke xxii. 44. A view of Chrift's Agony and Bloody 
Sweat, 5^ 

XV. Ifa. liii. 7. The Lamb of God filent, and flaughtered for 

us, 60 

XVL Eph. i. 7. Amazing things to be fcen in redeeming •? 

Blood, ' ^4 

XVII. Pfal. Ixxii. 6, Chrift's coming to his Church Jike rain 

on dry ground, 68 

XVIII. Math. viii. 8. The lowly believer, or Faith a Self- 
amazing grace, 7 a 

XIX. 2 Cor. ix. ^5. Chrift is God's unfpeakable gift, with 
Marks of thofe who are thankful for it, 76 

XX. Luke ix. 9 a* A view of the manifold Sufferings of 
Chrift, •- 81. 

XXI. John xviii. 4. Chrift's willingncfs to fuffer for us view- 
ed and improven, 85 

XXU. John xvi. 7. The Expediency of Chrift's going away 
^i&p/p his Difcjples confiderea, ^ po 

•XB2Z IfaC ii. /p. An iitomQung match betwiul^vtV^ aoxifli 
*odJothf<mie avatuzes, 9^ 



CONTENTS, vii 

.3UUV. Ifa. liii. 8. A view of Chrift ftricken by many hands 
* ibr our matiy Sins, page 98 

ISSLV. Gal. ii. 20. A particular and appropriating Faith in 

Jefos Chrift both our Duty and Interelt, xoz 

X3^VI. I John iv. ip. God's preventing Love the Caufe of 

oai Love to him, ^7 

XXVII. Pfal. cxxvi. 5. Sowing in Tears brings a joyful Rcap- 

ingTifli*, xxz 

XX viK Rev. i. 5. Chrift^s Love in pouring out his Blood for 

us calls for Songs of Prajfe to him, "5^ 

XXIX. Luke XV. 18, 19. The Humble Confeffions and Plead-. 

. ings of a penitent returning Prodigal, xi8 

XXX. Song i. 4. Our remembering of Chrift's Love at his 
Table fhould fill our foub with wonder, love, and grati- 
tude, lax 

XXXI. Ifa. lui. 5. Chrift's wounds by our Sins (hew the evil 

. Nature of Sin, and call for Revenge upon it, 134 

XXXn. John vi. 51. Chrift crucified our heavenly Bread, Mi- 
tels the Ifraelites' Manna, X27 



SACRAMENTAL ADVICJES. 

ADVICE I. Gen. vii. i. A Call to periftung Sinners to 
come mto the Ark of a crucified Thrift for Safety, with 
Directions how to |[ct into it, 13a 

H. Rev. iii. 20.' Chrift's ftandmg and knocking at the door 
of the Heatt, affords jMwerful arguments for Sinners open- 
ing to him, 135 
m. Rev. iii. 20^ A View of the Extenfivenefs and Solemnity 
of Chrift's calls to open to him, suod the blefied Provifion he- 
brings in with him, 138 

IV. Prov. ix. 5. Chrift the Bread of Life, excellent foul-food, 

with diredlions how to come and eat it, 142 

V. Gen. xlv. 4. Chrift -oiP loving Brother typified by Jo« 
feph, with diredtions how to come near him in thf Sacra-. 
ment, 145 

VL Matth. xxiL a. A call to come and fign the Marriage 
Contxaa with Chrift at his Table, with directions in doing 
I itj - 14^ 

Vn. Lam. i. IS. A call to view Chrift's drtadfiil iuffiurings 

under God's fierce anger, \Kp, 

yin. Matth. xxvL 22. Communicants called to be zealous o- 
▼er their Hearts, to fearch out Aeir Sins, and forrow for 
them, and to do it after a godly fort, with marks of it, 156 

IX. Heb. vi. 18. Chrift our only City of Refiige, with direc- 
tions how to flee to it from the Avenger of Bloody AJ5«fc 
X John iii. 14. A Call to view Chrift naWed «xA YiSxj^ >x^ «a. 
the txois, with fuitablc thoughts and afficfidota, ^ 
TS *^' '^' -A Call to Commumcaau, ^osA» to«&» 
^ndfem, to go /grwiura XQ -the i^.cd ^tik ^ OkTia:%^i^s«^ 



▼iii C O N T E N' T S. 

XH. John xii. 32. Chiift lifted up on the Crofs, a noble En« 
ffine for drawing Souls to him, with dire<5lions to look for bis 
drawing power, page ^7% 

Xlir. John i. 36.— ^xix. 5. A call to Behold the Man Chiift 

Jefus under his varioas fufieriogs, 1^4 

XIV. Job xxxviL 14. JDiredlions to (tand iliU and confider 
God*s Wondrous Works difplayed in the Sacrament, 17! 

XV. Rev. xxii. 2. Chrift our Tree of Life, infinitely praAwble 
to Adam's tree in the earthly Paradife, with direc^ioiU to 

view and make ufe of this blefled tree, 182 

XVI. Ifa. xxxii. 2. Chrift our only Hiding-place and Convert 

from ftorms of wrath, with direi^ons to get into it, i85 

XVn. I Kings xiz. p. Communicants ihould be ready to Ac 

count to God of their errand at the Lord's Table, 199 

■XVni. John V. 6. Communicants muft come fenfible of their 

Difea^s, with Faith in Chrift's healing Power, and Mar^ of 

a hewing Faith, ip5 

XIX. Ekod. xii. 14. How to improve a communion Sabbath, 
a« a Memorial of Chrift's Death, Refurredlion and Benefits 
obtained thereby, ipp 

XX. Jer. iii. ip. A Sinner's taking hold of God's Covenant, 
furmounts all the Hindrances and Difficulties in the Way of 

his Salvation, 203 

XXI. Luke V. 26, Communicants are to recolle£l and confider 
what ftrange things they have feen at the Sacrament, and 

be fuitably aflfe^ed, 207 

XXn. Luke vi. 21. The BlefTednefs of true fpirltua) Hui^er, 
' with . ^he £Ood things provided to fill the Hupgry, 2x2 

XXni. PfaE cvii. 2. Redeemed Souls are under fpecial 
, Obligations to give thanks and ling Praife to their Redeemec^ 2 r 5 



SACRAMENIAL 

MEDITATIONS 

UPONSUNDRY 

SCRIPTURE TEXTS. 

MEDITATION L 

From Hkb.xi. 7. 

By Faith Noah prepared an Ark to the faving of his 
Hou/e. 

THOUGH the flood that drowned the old world 
was at many years diftancei yet Noah was moved 
with fear at God's warning him of it^ and prepuxd an 
Ark for his fafety: and fhall not anconverted unbelieving 
fmnersj who have a far more terrible flood threatned a- 
gainft them, and may be only a few days diftanti take 
warning, and provide with all fpeed for their fafetyZ — 
Oh ! (ball I, a wretched guilty finncr, take reft, while I 
am within the flood-mark of God's wrath, and not arife 
in time to provide an Ark to flee to for my fafety? — But, 
O gcod newsl 1 have not the Ark to provide, it is pre- 
pared to my hand: God, in his infinite wifdom and pity, 
hath made ready an Ark long ago for loft finners of A. 
dam's race to flee to; and now it is completely furnifh-. 
ed and finifhed, and all things are ready, fo that I have 
nothing to Ao but go and take poflTv^lfion. 

O what had become of me, and other perifliing fin- 
ners, had we the Ark to build for ourfelvcs ? Nay, the 
whole creation had not been able or fufficicnt for tl\L«. 
purpofe. How foon would the xagmg &ooAl ol ^vrvcv^ 
MTBth fweep away all the arks of metv ot ?vvv\5jE^?»^^>3:\\^- 
j'ngl But thanks be unto Ggd for CYeT^.i^T l\\t ^i^e^^X'^^'^ 
'a* • '* ' 



10 SACRAMENTAL 

well-built Ark of God's deviling, for the many fpaciou^ 
rooms and fafe lodging-places within it, for the fuitable 
accommodation and plentiful provifion laid up thereint 
and for the door opened in the fide thereof for perifh- 
ing fouls to enter by. , The falvation of finners by a 
crucified Chrift is. a well-ordered fcheme, a beautiful- 
contrivance ! Blefled be the infinitely wife contriver for 
it. I fee all things in Chrift crucified neceffary for me: 
He is made of God to men, wifdatn^ rtghteoufnefs^ 
Jandiificatioti^ and redemption. There is in him infi- 
nite wifdom to guide me, a fpotlefs righteoufnefs to co- 
ver me, precious blood to wafli me^ the Holy Spirit to • 
fandify me, his good word to direft me, his juft lawfi 
to govern me, and his infi^nite fulnefs to fupply all my 
needs : Safe and happy then would I be, were I found 
in him. O that, upon trial by Scripture marks, I could 
conclude myfelf to be within the Ark^ to wit, a Cruci- 
fied J^fus ! 

Can I fay, I have been warned of God, and moved 
with fear, to fly to this Ark ? Have I difcovered my 
(helterlefs (late by nature, the waves and billows of wratn 
rifing and rolling againfl me? Have I fecn my own 
inability to 4)rovide an Ark for myfelf, and the excel- 
lency and fitnefs of the Ark of God's providing ? Have 
I been made willing to abandon all falfe arks, and ear- 
neftly inquifitive how to get into the true Ark ? Have 
I been made willing to ufe all appointed means for this 
end, to read, hear, meditate, pray, repent, believe, tL 
fay to climb up the fides of the Ark, and prefs to get 
in at the door thereof? Have I been willing to venture 
my all in the Ark, like Noah, notwithftanding of the 
difcouragements, feoffs, and hatred of the world forfo 

» doing? Irjave I willingly acquiefced, Jiheltered, and 
lodged my foul in God's Ark, and been made to fay« 
This is my reft for ever^ here ivi/I I dwell? Con^ 
whit floods will, Chrift (hall be my Ark, his righteouf- 
nefs alone my refuge and hiding-phce* 
Alas! upon impartiaLl fearch, have I not qaufe to 

^ar, thstt Ihav^jiot jtt fled to the AxVl, Wx. ^m Oi 
^'^paf(^d tat the dcvouTuig fiaod \ aud ciaiTi V\i^ »ii «^ 



MEDITATIONS. ir 

quiet in fuch a cafe ? Can I forbear crying, What fhall 
I do to get into the Ark Chrift ? Nay, What would I 
not da to get into it ? Lord, what wouldft thou have mc 
to do? Wouldft thou have me to humble myfelf, con- 
fefs, mourn, part with fin, clofe with Chrift in all his 
offices ? Prefcribe, Lord» what thou wilr, I will not 
fcruple what thou enjoins me, but obey thee without re- 
ferve. I am refoived upon it, whatever it coft me, that 
the folicitations of the flefh, the temptations of Satan, 
the feoffs, reproaches, or perfecutions of the world, {liall 
ndt ftop me from flying to the Ark : I would break 
through all thefe to be found in it. Lord, increafe and 
ftrengthen my faith for that end, and help my unbelief. 
O hbw fuitable is the Ark Chrift to my deftitute and 
miferaisle condition: In myfelf I want all things, but I 
fee fupply for all my wants in the Ark; I am poor>but 
I fee gold in the Ark to make me rich : I am wounded 
by fin, but I fee balm in the Ark to heal my wounds : I 
am blind, but there is eye-falve in the Ark to make me 
fee : I am perifhing with hunger, but I fee bread in the 
Ark to fatiflfy me 1 1 am naked, but in the Ark there is 
white raiment to clothe me :I am polluted^ biit in the 
Ark there is a fountain to wafh me: I am expofed to more 
terrible floods than Noah was, but I fee the Ark Chrift 
can fave me from them all : Noah's ark faved him only 
from a flood of water, but the Ark Chrift faves from. a 
flood of the curfes o£ the law, and the wrath of God, 
•which will fweep away all the unbelieving world. This 
flood rofe, fwelled high, and dafbed furioufly againft 
our Ark ; but the Ark was proof againft it, and fhtlter- 
cd all the cleft world from the flood, fo that not one 
drop did light on them, — O how excellent is this Ark ! 
for it can fave me from being overwhelmed or carried 
away with any flood, and particulary it can fave me fro;!! 
being carried away with a flood of Satan's temptations, 
which fweeps away many, or with a flood of indwelling 
corruption, with a flood of error, with a flood cit "^x^* 
hn'ity, or with a flood of neutiaWt^ ixv^ *vcv^\^«x^x\q.^ 
ibout fpiritud concerns-, by w\\\c\\ ftooA.^^ tv\\x\\SxNAs.^ 
re dearoycd. Let me then by UixYxft^ to v\as>a\^^^ 

A 2. 



12 SACRAMENTAL 

Ark, "where all bciievcrs are preferved from thefe de- 
ft royirg floods. Behold, I run, I fly : May Jefus 
draw me, and help me in ! 

BltflVd for ever be the God of heaven, for providing 
fuch an ark for fallen finners upon earth. I deiire to 
count all things but lofs and dung, that I may be found 
in this Ark, among the preferved in Chrift Jefus, whom 
no flood can reach. However this Ark maybe flighted by 
the uorld,' Vll prize it above all things, and count them 
for ever happy who get into it, feeing God declares it, 
that there is no condemnation to them that are pi Chrifl: 

Jefus. The Ark was flighted "by the old world, and 

Noah ridiculed for preparing it for himfelf and his 
houfe i but it foon appeared that Noah was the wifeft 
man that then lived upon the earth. Few there were who 
entered with Noah into the Ark, and no doubt were 

• reproached and mocked for their Angularity ; but foon 
was the world perfuaded that they were the only wife 
and hapi^y men in it. Eettcr furely it was to have fol- 
lowed the eight perfons that went into the Ark, than to 
have joined eight millions of thofc who were drowned 
in the flood. Should I be fo foolifli as follow the old 

, ^orld in undervaluing the Ark, I muftlay my accoui'.t 
to fee fhut out and perifti with them tgo : Wherefore I 
will not fear the reproach of men for being fingular in 

my efl:eem of glorious Chrift. May 1 be numbered a- 

mong that happy company (however few they be) who 
love the Lord Jefus Chrift in fmcerity, and , will blefs 
God eternally for providing this Ark for drowning men! 
May I be one that will ever blefs my lovely and ioviny 
Jefus, that pitied me and took me in, when.others were 
waihcd oflFfrom the fides of the A|k, as adhering only 
to it by a dead and formal profeflioni May I be one 
that will ever fing to hia praife, O amazing free love I 
that pitied and diilinguifhed me, when the flood came ; 
that gracioufly drew and determined me in fuch a man- 
ner, that I got into the Ark aiid wr.3 fafc, when many 

others were wafhi^d off, and pcrifti^d for ever ( 



MEDITATIONS. J3 

MEDITATION II. 

• From 2 Peter ii. 4. 
God/pared fot the Angels thatjlnhed^ but caft them down to hell. 

HOW admirablci free, and t4iftinguifliing is the love 
of God to mankind finnersi m pitying them in 
their low and loft eftate ! O how difl'ereiit is the cafe 
of fallen men upon the earth, from the cafe of fallen 
angels in hell, and that of damned fouJs there ! Manna 
is rained down upon us, while an eternal (hower of 
fire and brimftone falls down upon them. They are 
bound in chains of darknefs^ whilll thou. Lord, art 
drawing us with cords oiF love. Thou didil not fpare 
angels, nor take on their nature; but thou haft fpared 
us, married our nature, and exalted it to the heavens. 
They continue without hope under the deluge of Godfs 
wrath, while the pleafant Rainbow of the facrament ap- 
pears to us, as a token of God's covenant of grace, and 
of his willingncfs to fecure us from that overflowing 
flood, by the interpofition of his dear fon in our na- 
ture. O how welcome (hould we make that gofpel 
Rainbow !' 

Lord, thy wrath foon broke out againft the angcU 

» that fell ; thou didft punifh them immediately upon 
their finning againil thee. Thou didil not wait for 
their repentance, nor make any offer of meiu:y to them ;. 
but, prefcntly upon their firft offence, didll condemn 
them to e;verlaflihg chains of darknefs. O how far 
different is thy manner of dealing with us ! Long halt 
thou waited upon us after we have finned; yea, thou, 
haft followed us with thy mercy after many refufals of 
it, and even after our trampling the precious blood of 
Chrift under our feet ! Marvellous and peculiar is thy 
m^rcy to fallen men in refpcft.of fallen angels ! Glory- 
to fovcreign free mercy, that thou did ft not caft us off 
for ever without a parley, as thou didft them ; but waits 
to b.c gracious to us, long ftretching out \\\^ VvcA^ -wx^. 
csXl^ng us to repentance, faying, Tutiv ^je , vaitv^j^ s ^V 
wil^ you die i ^ 
A^aina the finuine anflcls God nv2.^ fe: ^^^^^"l! 

thBt he refolred withixT hirnfelf , aud \v^xV. ^^^^ ^' 



14 SACRAMENTAL 

folution ever fince the beginning cf the world, and will 
keep it to all eternity, that he will not fo muchlas enter 
into a parley with thefe creatures, however glorious they 
once were, nor be reconciled to them upon any terms ; 
yea, that he will hear of no terms, but will revenge him- 
felf upon them to all eternity. — May not then the hear- 
ing of this caufe us to quake andtrertible? for, why might 
not the Lord haye dealt with us in the fame manner, 
who were far more wretched anJ miferable creatures 
than angels ? Surely if a king be fo angry with an of- 
fending nobleman, that was once his fpecial favourite, 
as to banifti him from court, and afterwards hear of no 
terms of reconciliation with him; would not a foot- 
man, or mean fervant, that had oiFen^ded, when hear- 
ing of this, begin to dread, and fay, O what will be-' 
come of me a poor man, when the king treats his peers 
fo feverely ? I may furcly defpair of remillion or recon- 
ciliation with him. So, in like manner, we poor clay 
worms, upon hearing of God's feverity to falleiji angels, 
might have been overwhelmed with fear, if the Bible 
had not told us, that the Son of God his dttlights luere 
ivith the, fins of men ; that verily he took not on him 
the nature of angels y hut he took on him the feed of Abra* 
ham^ Heb. ii. i6. and that he gave himfclf to be a fin- 
ofFcring and facrificc for men ! Afloniihing news ! Glo* 
ry to Go'd for thefe glad tidings of great joy ! 

O admirable love to Adam's rebellious offspring f 
Haft thou. Lord, paft by angels, and remembered us in 
our low and loft eftate ! and in thy infinite compafiion 
become our furety, to appeafe divine juftice for our hei- 
nous fins, when no other facrifice could do it J O what 
(hall we render to thee for this diftinguifliing love f 
Surely our condition in Adam was no better than that 
of the angels who left their firft eftate. By nature we 
were in a moft dreadful cafe, lyin^, like Ifaac, bound 
on the altar, to be a facrifice to the juftice of God, arid 
the /word of juftice lift up to give the killing blow, 
v£7r// the Son of God difcqvcrcd himfeW , ^% x\wt Twtk. 
'^oght in the thickets, and calling to'j\xVY\ce,Yio\^ xh^ 
^<i Joofc tb^m^ and bind xxjc in thcw ioq» -A'VX \» 



MEDITATIONS 15 

tie facrifice for them. In choofing fallen men, and 
not angcfs, God gave an amazing inltancc of the fove- 
rcignty of his grace, that he would be merciful to whom 
he would be merciful; would pqfs by the fuperior niture, 
andchoofe the inferior; prefer veflelsofclaytoveflelsof 
gold! What can we fay? Nothing, but wonder at God*s 
free grace f — Unfpeakable love! Lord, it had been 
much if thou hadfl: provided an angtl w mitigate our 
fufferings in hell, by giving us drops cf water to cool 
our tongue; but that thou (houldft have cordfefcended to 
come and change rooms with us. He in hell tor us, and 
fttffer the very pains and agonies due to ub/is love that . 
pafletb knowledge. 

Lord, when I confider thy diftinguifhing pity, and 
low (loop, to purchafe and recover luch ckds of earth 
and fin with thy blood and agonies, I am amazed at 
thy love, confounded at my own ingratitude, and a- 
fliamcd at the coldncfs and hardncfb of my heart ! Oh ! 
was Chrift willing to change rooms iivith the like of 
me, and (hail not I be willing to change rooms wi.h hiniy 
and at his demand to part with the Althy rags of my 
fins, and take on the robe of his rightoulnefs? O (hall 
not this amazing love of Chrift conitrain me to love 
him again, and live to him that died for me? (hall it 
not conitrain me to think on him ? conitrain me to clofe 
with and truft in him ? conitrain me to commend him? 
conitrain me to hate Jind avoid his enemy, fin ? con- 
drain me to adhere to Chriit's truths and ways ? to per- 
fevere in prayer, praife and holy walking ? 

Are fallen angels left, and fallen men pitched upon 
to be the monuments of free grace, to fill up the va« 
cant rooms which angels fell from ? What ihail I lay 
to this', but, even/o, Father ^ for Jo itplejjed thee ,- let thy 
fovcrcign free grace be the eternal fong of both men 
and angels. Not unto us^ not unto us^ but unto thy name 
he the glory. -^^^ BltfTed be God, that I hear tins jo^iul 
found of reconciliation with fallen men ^>i\4ol -a. u^.^X'^ 
of peace carried on with them : The dev\\%x\t.\tx\vK.i.^^> 

nd never {hall hear fuch news. But Ou» \^ Vcu«w« 

?e in, and accept of the term* aud off^i%ta^dft v> ^ 



i^ SACRAMENTAL. . 

in the gofpel, I'll put myfelf in a worfe cafe than the 
devils: For it cannot be charged upon fallen angels, as 
on fallen men, that God was willing to be reconciled 
to them, and they would not. Now then, when the 
gofpel treaty i$ proclaimed, God forbid I be found 
guilty of refufinghis terms, fcoming his offers, and de- 
fying his threatnings. O how /hail I efcape^ if I ne- 
gledifo great and wonderful falvation as is tendered to 
me ? Negledl it, Lord, I dare not, I will not. Lo, I 
come, I accept, I embrace, I take hold of thy covenant^ 
and the feal of it tendered to me : I renounce the old 
covenant, I break league this day with all thy enemies, 
I proclaim war againft them : I clofc with Chrift Jefus, 
both as my righteoufnefs and ftrength : I make a full 
and free furrendcr an4 refignation of myfelf unto the 
Lord, to be his and his only, in all I am, and in all I 
enjoy, to be ordered and difpofed of for his glory and 
fervice. Lord, I am thine ; I will not be my own, L 
will not be the world's, but I'll be thinc^ thine only, 
and thine wholly ; thine to love thee, ferve and obey 
thee without referve : fmce thou wonldft have no na- 
ture but mine, I will have no will but thine, I re- 
nounce my own will, and take thine for my rule. 
Lord, I am thine, O fave thou me ; and I will trumpet 
forth the praifes of free grace and redeeming love f»r 
ever. Amen. 

MEDITATION IIL 

From Pfalm cxlvii. 20. 
He hath not dealt fo with any nation, 

THE nation of Ifracl was fipgularly privileged a- 
hove others ; they were taken into covenant with 
God, they had God's word and ordinances, the means 
of coverfion and falvation ; they had the gofpel revela- 
tion, the knowledge and promifes of the MeCTiah. — But 
we under New-Teftment times, and in Britan, are 
jyt mere pecuUs^rly prWiltgtdi •with cWwtx li^bt and 
jd^coveriesoftht Mcfliah than the natvoti oIUto^Wva^ 
£^y ^^^^d under a darker and harlhci d\l^TL^^x\otv q 
^^ covenant of grace by Mgfcs, Nvhote ^^^ ^^^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 17 

was the turning of water into blood; but we live under 
the dearer and fweetcr difpenfation of it by Chrift 
himfelf, whofe firft miracle was the turning water in- 
to wine, that cheers the heart. The nation of Ifrael 
were called a people near unto God; but in gofpel 
tinaes we are allowed yet nearer accefs to God than 
they had. — The children of Ifrael were not allowed fo 
much as to touch the mount on 'A-hich the Lord came 
down : the men of Bcthlhemiih had not liberty to look 
into the ark, the place of his reHdence :— But, behold, 
wc arc allowed to take a near view and fleady look of 
a crucified Jefus in the facramcQf, ivho is the image of 
the invifible Gcd, the h right nefs ef his Father's glory ^ and 
the expr^fs image of his per/on ; yea, we have liberty not 
only to look ta him, but alfb to touch him, handle his 
wound?, embrace his perfon, and lodge him in our 
hearts. , . 

The advantage of a clear revelation of a crucified 
Chrift in the gofptl ordinances, and particularly in the 
Lord's fupper, is an invaluable privilege. If the royal 
Pfalmiil admired the divine goodnefs in caufing the 
fun, moon, and (tars, to fhine in the iirmament for 
man's behoof, and therefore cries, nuhat is man that 
God is thus mndful of him ? How far greater caufe hav^c 
we to fay fo, when we obferve how God caufes the 
oun of Righteoufnefs fhine fo brightly itj thij firma- 
ment of gofpel ordijiancep, and the day fprivg from on 
high to vifit us with the light of faving knowledge, and 
ot eternal falvation through him? — Again, if the I'falm* 
ift exalts God's goodnefs fo much in his giving ihc 
brails of the he!d,«. fowls of the air, and fiihes of the 
fca, to be food for man ; what ground have we to ad- 
mire and praife God's infinite mercy, in giving us iheflefh 
and blocd of his own dear Sen to preftrve the lives of 
our fouls! O what lare gofpel-feafts are thefe which 
Gud allows us in the land wherein wc dwell ? and O 
howwonderfii^jare the^y preferved andcoutuvvtd'^vOsY 
us^ ircxn time 7&*-fime, by the toiU^cmXom^ w wVv^s^o^ 
God's m^rcy and power ? while ox\ict% 9lx^ n\^\\.^^ ^"vOsx 
cleanncfs of teeth, and a famine oi t\\t '^'Ot^ ^^ ^^^ 
rle hath not dcTih with every natiou ^^ nnv\X"v >^^- 



j8 sa<:r a mental 

And, Lord, how diftinguifhing 18 thy goodnefs unto 
me a mod unworthy creature! By thy mercy I was 
born in a valley of vifion? and I dwell in a lightfome 
Gofhen, when multitudes of others, in pagan and po- 
pifh nations, are covered with Egyptian darknefs, and 
fit in the region of the (hadow of death. I hear hea- 
ven's free market-days of grace proclaimed, when others 
have filent S:ibb^ths: I am invited to a rich banqueting- 
houfe, when others are ftarving for want of the bread 
of life. O that I conld value my mercies aright !— — 
It is a great privilege that I am allowed to fpeak to the 
great God in prayer, and to hear llim fpeak unto nfc 
m his word ! But dill he puts a greater honour upoa 
me, by calling me to enjoy intimate communion and fel- 
lowfhip with himfelf, yea, inviting me to fit down with 
him athis table,andfeaft upon the fruits of Chrift^s death'i 
and benefits of his purchafe! — Oh, I am not worthy 
of the leail crumb that falls from the children's table, and 
far lefs of being fet down at the table with the children 
to eat of their bread, and (hare of the dainties provided 
for them by their heavenly Father; if Peter,, after hav«. 
ing feen Chrift's glory and his own vilencfs, judged 
himfelf unworthy to be in the feme fliip with Chrift^ 
and therefore cried, depart from ^ for lam ajtnful man; 
how (hall I, the chief of finners, adventure to fit at t^ 
fame table with him, and feed upon his flefii and blood? 
Aamzing condefcenfion I 

O what diftinftion doth God make among nations, 
in fending the gofpel to thcfn, with clear views and pre- 
Cng offers of a crucified Jefus to periihing fouls ! And 
what caufe have we in thefe nations of admiring the di- 
ftinguifhing goodnefs of God to us in this relpeft be- 
yond others! Would we not admire his goodnefs, if he 
caufed the fun to fhine only in our horzion, as he did 
on Goflien, when other nations were covered with 
darknefs, as the land of Eygpt wasi* yet furcly the gof- 
pel-fun is by far a greater mercy. — Tho^fpel is indeed 
ajo/ful found, Pfaim JxxaIx 15. fo cfSlRd, wltK ^Uufion 
^o the /jJyer trumpets made uie of undet tYvtY^n'w xo <iT&\ 
^^opJe to the folemn aflemblics, and to \tvvm^x«:v 
^^/Z7 tAe /eafl of the paflbver, v/hid\ tc^Te^ttv^.^e^ \> 



MEDITATIONS. 19 

love and fufferings of the Meffiah. A joyful found the 
gofpel is indeed^ if we compare it with the found of 
the law's curfes and threatnings tkrundered from mount 
Sinai againft Gnners. But, behold, this joyful found, 
bringing falvation^ comes from heaven, even to heaven* 
daring finners, who had openly rebelled againfl the God 
of Heaven! Glad news! BlefTed are they who know 
this joyful found} know it fo as to believe it, admire it, 
entertain it, and comply with it, fo as to receive Chriil 
offered therein to loft finners. 

Lordi I make this joyful found welcome : it is mufic 
to my ear^ and a cordial to my heart. I reckon their feet 
beautiful who bring fuch glad tidings to my foul. O 
how welcome would men make them, who (huold 
'bring them in an invention that would fecure their e- 
dates from confuming, their houfes from burning, or 
their bodies from dying ! — but here we have the fure 
news of an invention that doth much more for us 
than all this, even a device that /ecures us from hell, 
and eniures us of heaven. Ought I not then chear- 
fuHy to <H>mply with this joyful found, and fall in with 
the call thereof? God forbid that I (hould (lop my 
cars ^f. it; it had been better for me then never to have 
lieard of it at all : How dreadful would my cafe be at 
the judgment-day I How would devils, Turks, heathens, 
and my own confcience, upbraid me in hell to all eter- 
nity for my folly in flighting this joyful found! furely 
God may flight the mournful found of their prayers in 
time of diftrefs, who flight the joyful found of his gof- 
pel in time of health. — but, Lord, I blefs thee for it, I 
love it, I receive it, 1 welcome it, I fall heartily in with 
it, and will admire it for ever. 

MEDITATION IV. 

^ From I John iii. i. 
BeboUnvbai manner of love the Father hath be/i owed upon ui I 

JNthc amazing work of out redettii^Uoti^^^'^\^ ^-'Ji^- 
edto behold and admire both tkt \on^ olx^c^tt^^^isM^^ 



ao SACRAMENTAL 

that contrived our redemption^ pitched upon and gave 
the Redeemer, O how readily accepted he of the Son's 
offer to fuffer and fatisfy infinite juilice for fin in our 
room ! Upon our fall, he might juftly have faid, No, 
the foul that fins (hall die perfonally, I'll admit of no 
furety. But, glory to the blefled Father, fuch was hia 
love to us, that when the dear Son faid, Father, I will be 
furety for the finners of mankind, let my blood be (hed 
for theirs, let the blow light on me, let me die in their 
roomj fuch was the love and pity of the Father to us, 
that he prefently accepted the offer, held our Redeemer 
at his word, faying, Be it as thou haft faid: Aiuahe^ O 
/word ogainfl the Man that is my fellow : Smite the Shep^ 
herdi and (pare the (beep. I'll glorify my juilice up- 
on my own dear Son, rather than upon them. Amen, 
faid the bleifed Son of God: I will be the facrifice |. 

O love unfpeakable, both in the Father and the Son! 
Human love, angelical love, is nothing to it! O what is 
the love of creatures one to another, to this love of God 
to man! Aflonifiiing love I that the eternal Son of God, 
intreated by no man, but hated of all men, (faould in his 
love and pity intreat for men -, yea, undertake and die 
for them, when enemies to God and all that is good I O 
the breadth^ O the lengthy the depths O the height of this 
love of Chrijl^ nvhich paffeth kmivledge! I may poffibly 
feel it, but I cannot fathom it. The love of creatures 
13 nothing to the love of Chrift. It was great love that 
Jacob bare to Rachel, that he endured the heat of fum- 
mer, and frofts of winter, for her: But all that was 
nothing to the winter-ftorm which Chrift fuffered for us. 
It was extraordinary love that Jonathan had to David, 
that he would peril his life to avert hisfathers wrath from 
him: but wh^ was that to Chrift's love, that took on his 
eternal Father's wrath, which was infinitely greater than 
Saul's, and actually laid down his life to avert that dread- 
ful florni of wrath from us I What love was it that made 
him (land before the moutho!:hellfurnace,and fuffer him- 
/eJfto befcoTchtd with it, in the moll terrible manner, 
that he might {top the flame from bttaVin^ out cixi \x^\ 
^fhoJdbim receiving the fword of suftVctiuiQVvu^a^^^X^, 



MEDITATIONS. 21 

to prcTWit its being flicathcd in our hearts ! Hehold, 
when the fea of God's wrath raged and was tempedu- 
ous, threatning to fwallow us all up ; Chrift camcj and 
faid, like Jonah, Spare thcfe poor finners ; take me up> 
and call me into the fea in their ftead,that the ilorm may 
be appeafed agdnft them! Chrift was willing to be oaft 
into the fea of wrathi to be a blefled plank of mercy for 
(hipwrecked fouls to grip to, and be fared. 

Admirable love of the Father of our Lord JcfusChrift, 
who would give his dearly beloved Son, out of free love 
and pity to man, to die and fuffer wrath for him! and 
would chufe rather to fee his dear Son agonizing and 
ftruggling under infinite wrath for a time, than to fee - 
an ticSt world ftruggling in hell among devils for ever! 
O who can utter the mighty a£ls of the Lord ! who can 
(hew forth his praife ! O Father of mercies, from all 
eternity thou forcfaw our fall and mifery, and, in thy 
wifdom and love, didft contrive a noble remedy for usr 
Thou even didft provide a Surety for man before the 
debt was contra£ted,a faviour for him before he was loftj 
and by this glorious Surety thou haft found out a noble 
way to fatisfy both the demands of juftice and intrea<i 
ties of mercy, and glorify both thofe divine perfections 
at once.^— By this. Lord, we know thou loveft us, that 
thou haft not with-held thy Son, thine only Son from 
. U85 to be facrificed in our room; and graciouily calleft ug 
to commemorate thy love, in providing thisfacrificei at 

thy holy table. Inftead of this, thou mighteft juftly 

have called multitudes of us together, to make us a ia« 
crifice to thy juftice for our heinous fms and rebellions 
againft heaven. But behold, thou calleft us together to - 
thy Table upon a quite other defign, even to intimate to 
us a facrifice of thy own providing, fufficient for us alt; 
and adlually to behold the bleeding victim of the inno- 
cent Lamb of God, who willingly, at his Father's call, 
gave himfelf to be flain to take away the (ins of the 
world ! Lord, what didft thou fee in fuc\\ cx^?kXM\^^^xa 
make thee Jove ua after this manner^ \io\!j\vc\^^\i\iX 
much to make thee lathe us; yet the time w\ie.xv^^ nicx^i 
jno/l Jothfome thou raad'tt it the time oi\oN^\ ^^^ki^^"^ 

15 



24 SACRAMENTAL. 

this almighty perfon, the great God, condefoends to 
clothe himfelf with our nature, and (loops to the verf 
ground, in the moft lowly manner, to pay a kind vifit to 
his rebellious creature, man, even man that is a worm; 
and when he gets not accefs to him at firft, he con- 
tinues to ilanc and knock at his door. — O how mar- 
vellous is this, that he who is omnipotent, that could 
by a word have annihilated fallen man, and created a 
more amiable creature in all refpefls in his room, {hould 
ftoop fo lo^v to him I that he who is omnifcient, and per- 
feflly knew man*s unworthinefs, his enmity, hie ingra- 
titude, and what unkind returns he would make for the 
greateft kindnefs, ibouM court him fo earneftly I that the 
Judge o^ heaven fhould come down from the bench, and 
put on the pannePs clothes, that he might anfwer and 
fatisfy the law for him! that the great General of the 
armies of heaven (liould put himfelf in the room of a 
poor condemned deferter, to fufier for him ! that the 
Creator fhould (loop to die for the creature, even the 
great God for a worm, man, is love that fwallows up 
our thoughts and language ! What can we think, what 
can we fay of it ! it is love that paffeth knowledge I 
the moil penetrating angel cannot fathom Its height, it« 
depth, its breadth,'Or its lengih ! Why? for its neigl^t, 
it is infinitely higher than the higheft heavens. For its 
depth, none can fee its bottom, for it made him (loop 
'aS low as hell. For its breadth, it is as broad as the 
whole earth, and the whole heavens too *, it compre- 
hends all his people, cvtn <he pooreft outcaft on earthy 
as well as the higheft faint in heaven. For its length, 
it never ends, but continues without interruption, not- 
withiianding of provocations.^ nay, it is drawn out pa- 
rallel with the longed line of eternity. 

liOrd, what is man that thou (houldft have minded 
l.im, viiited him, and loved him fo! a creature moft 
unlovely, ugly, and bbck as hell; that had got the i- 
mage of God razed out, and the image of Satan pic- 
ti/reJ Jn Jts room. — A creature lame and im^otenti 
fAst couJd not rife but as Chrift. lifted Vvvki, co\3\^ tvqx: 
^^and But a$ he upheld him, could not 'wa\V.\>ux.>^Vt. 



meditations: 25 

kd him, nor move but as he drew him. — A rebel that 
was in league with hell, that hated his Sovereign, and 
was plotting with the devil to pull the crown ofF his 
head. — A creature made lothfomc by fin in God's 
fight, yea more lothfome than a new-bom infant waU 
lowing in its blood, than Job when full of boils, than 
Lazarus fuH of fores, or a dead carcafe crawling with 
worms. — A creature that was undefirous of God's vifit 
or help, and unwilling to accept of it; that faid to him» 
Depart from us 9 we deftre not the knouiedge of thy ivays. 
A cr«ature that coTitemned his love, rej rdled his offc^rs, 
and trampled h>s blood. — ^Who would have pitied fuch 
a creature? one i^ poor, fo vile, fo mifcrable! It had 
been much to have given him an alms*, but for the Son 
of God to give his life for hi;r., may ftrike men and an- 
gels with aftonifhing furprife for ever. Lord, uohat h 
mani a poor feeble crawling worm, that thou jhotddjl he 
mindful of him ^ after this manner: And what are we^ 
that we fhould dill have the offers of tliis love conti- 
nued to us.^ Oh, Ihall we ever make light of this love 
any more? 1 believe. Lord, help my unheHif, 

There is a parallel text, Pfal. c\!iv. 3 Lv-d^whatis 
man that thou takejl kncwu-dge of hi.n .<" or the fon of man 
that thou makefl account of him ? 'V hat a poor little thing 
is man, that thou (liouidil malo-fo great account of 
him, put fuch refpecl upon him above all other crea- 
tures, fo as to condefcendto /land in a nearer relation 
to him than to any other, as that of a father, a brother^ 
a hulband, a friend, &c. yea more, lh9u halt dignified 
this poor thing, man, fo much as to allams his nature 
into an ineffable perfonal union with the fcond perfoii 
of the ever glorious Trinity, whereby the nature of maa 
18 exalted above all the angels of heaven. It is not the 
angelical, but the human nature which God hath cho- 
fen to tabernacle in; and now it is honoured fo far, as 

to be fet on the right hand of the Mdj\»rty on high 

The great account God hath of this UuVi \]v\\Vi'^,x«i7ccv^ 
:^ppear8 further in the great coft. \\e VvAU\\'2iv^ o\iX. iw: 
Jjj'm. Why? God not only gW^s YAs ct^^Vut^v* Xa ^v^^ 
for man, to yield him food, but he 21U0 ^vNe% V\^ CXw^v.^ 



s6 SACRAMENTAL 

to die for Wm, to procure him eternal lifci Again, 
bow great IS the goodnefs which God Iiath laid up for 
him hereafter? Eye hath net feen it, ear hath not heard 
k, nor hath it entered into the heart of man to conceive 
liow great it is ? O what a favourite of heaven muft this 
little creature, man, be I 

Lord, who can but wonder at the honour thou hafk al- 
ready put upon man, and at the favours thou ftill defigns 
for him! Great things haft thou laid out, and great thinga 
haft thou laid up for man. I admire thy low ftoop in the 
viiit tliou inadeft man, in the incarnation of thy dear Son» 
and in thy vifit in thegofpel proclamation, and ofiicr Of 
pardon through him ! but let me ftill plead for smother 
vifit in theefFufion of thy Holy Spirit: This other vifit 
thou knoweft is neceffary to make the former effe£lual to 
my falvation. May then thy Holy Spirit work Caith in 
me, to fall in with thy glorious device for the redemption 
cf man in all points, to accept of thy love offers, and rcft~ 
upon thy free promifes of falvation through Jefus Cbrift^ 
and his moft perfcfl righteoufncfs. Amen* 

'^^ MEDITATION Vl. 

From I Cor. x. 4 
And that Rock was Chrtft. 

HOW ufeful was that rock in the wildernefs to the 
Ifraelites fojourning there, after it was fmitten by 
Mofes's rod : When they were ready to peri.fli in that dry 
defert, the rock fent forth flreams of water to them in 
great abundance; ftreams that followed them up hill and 
down hill, in all their turnings and windings, marches 
and countermarches through that weary land. The rock 
was to them a lively type of Chrift, who being fmitten by 
the rod of the law's curfes, whofe miniiter Mofes was, 
fends forth plentiful fupplies to his people, while travell- 
ing in the wildernefs of this world. There are two prin- 
cip^i flreams of blcflings which he fends forth, moft ufe- 
/ul to us, to M'h, a flream of blood fox out ^vifti(ication» 

ajjda ilream of the Spirit for out {2itv£l*Ac2A.\otk. tV«. 

channel or cc^nduf t-pipes for couveY'in^xYv^fcft.x^^tt^'^Xft 



MEDITATIONS. i^ 

U8, are the ordinarices and promifes of the gofpel; and 
through thefe pipes, thefe blefied llreams run freely to 
all true believers, from the Kock Chfift, ^^'hich was 
broached for them. 

Oh, how coftly was our redemption to our dear linf- 
man Jefusdhrift? dear did our fouls coft him! The Rock 
of our falvation was cleaved afunder, rent and pierced to 
the very heart, to let out thi waters of life to us, by which 
only we can be preferved from eternal deatli, and obtain 
eternal life. How coftly and precious are the ftreams of 
Chrift's blood and.fpirir, his meicy and grace which 
£ow from the fmittenRcckj and follow us through the 
wildernefsin the irtc offers of the gofpel! They are life- 
giving dreams/ fire-quenching, heart-foftning, foul- 
cleannng, healing and fru<i^ifying Iheams: Welcome 

. then ihould we make thefe itreams (o our k^uls in this 
dry and thriily land — Likew ifc the rotk was to the If- 
raelites a fliadow from the hear, aiu! a covert from tem- 
pefts and ftorms: fo Cbriil, our Rock, fcreens us from 
the fcorching heat of viudidive jultice, and from the 
waves and billows of God's wrath. — How neccfTary 
S4nd ufeful is the Rock Chrift to the fouls of fallen men ! 
Oh, let me never, Jelhurun-like, liglitly eiteem this Rock 
cf our falvation. _0 kt me never go to taiie rocks, or 
falfe ftreams, for (helter or fupply in ftraits, when the 
true Rock is fo near> and the lavit.g ftreams run clofe 
by my door^ yea^ follow mc daily iaihe channel of the 
word and facraments: Streamy appointed by Heaven to 

anfwer all the, cafes and ailments of loit fmners- O 

ihall God in his tender mercy provide fuch a wonderful 
remedy, fet the Rock a-broah for me, and caufc it» 
llreams to follow me^ and ihall I be fo fooliih as to turn 
my back upon them^ and refufe to apply or make ufe 
of them? O fave me from fuch curfed ingratitude and 

'madnefs; " I belive, Lord, help my unbcjiel," 

O how much (hould my heart be affcdedat thy holy ta- 
ble, when I fee the Rock of my falvaiion fmitteu ^ vVw^ 
Tod ofju#lice, and behold the blooQ^ i^cai ^vctc^ Y^viXiN* 

heart! O Rock of agc«, wha^ rwadc v\\cc va \«xw^ "mA 

cUsve fol OBrightneU of thy ¥a\:W^ ^Vot^^ viV^> 



28 SACRAMENTAL 

disfigured thcc fo? O "River of life, clear as cryftal^ who 
hath troubled thee fo? Oh, it was my £ns, my pride, my 
paflion, my unbelief, my world linefs, my hardncft, im- 
penitence, &c. Thefe were the caufe of my Redeem- 
er's fuflFerings. The iniquities of finful men were laid 
upon bim. When he was pierced, it was I that (hould 
have been fmitten. When he groaned and fwate blood, 
I (hould hav*; howled and roared in hell. Harder than 
the rock is my heart, if 1 can fee my dear Saviour fmitten 
and pierced, and not mourn. O can I fee his (ide and 
heart ftreaming out blood, and mine eyes not pour out 
tears! Can 1 behold the Rock fmitten for thefins.of men, 
and not adore the holinefs and juftice of God manifeded 
therein? Can I fee my innocent Siviour wounded and'flaio 
for my fins, and my foul not hate them ; yea, (hall 1 not 
be filled with horror and trembling at tempfations to fin? 
Let me, at my Saviour's caU, approach to his table, 
and come near to the Rock of my falvation, and hear- 
ken to the raging billows of infinite wrath, daOiing a- 
gainft the Rock' for my fins, and even makii g the 
Rock to groan, fweat, and tremble under the preflure. 

uhat a dreadful hurricane of wrath did he endure, 
to keep the fwdling ocean of divine wrath from over- 
flowing guihy men ! Surely my glorious Emmanuel's 
groaning and fweating blood under tlie firokes of God's 
vengeance, is a greater- evidence of the implacable 
wrath and indignation of God againfi fin, than if he. 
had hurled all the rocks of the creation into the midft 
of the fea ; yea, or a thoufand worlds of men and an- 
gels into hell. O that, while 1 am beholding this fight^ 

1 may tremble at fin, come by faith under the fhadow 
of this Rock, and fun into the clifts of it for fafety. 
Here I would be ou^ of the reach of the ; law's curfes 
and thircatnings of wrath •, and though I hear the roar- 
ings and dafhings of the fea upon the Rock, yet a drop 
of it could not touch me. 

O that 1 could imitate Mofes, when I an\ at the ta- 
bJcj and fmitt the Rock by the rod oi i^^t\\^ that the 
/ireajns of Chriil's blood and fpiiit m?L^ ^o-w omx. xo 
^^' Whsu was his error will be my vrViidoni^io Imwfe 



MEDITATIONS. 29 

the RqcIc oftener than once, to put forth many aAs of 
faith on Jcfus Chrift, fuch as th^ difcerning, aifentingt 
approving^ deriving, receiving, clofing, embracing, 
trufting, pleading, applying, and appropriating a^s of 
true faith. May I, like Ifrael of old, Deut. xxxii. 13. 
be helped by faith to fuck honey out of the Rock, and 
oil out of the flinty Rock : Honey and oil, fwcetneft 
and fatnefs, quickening and comfort. — How (hall I 
come at this honey and oil ? Only by fucking : And 
how fliall I fuck, but by the mouth of faith ? There is 
no fucking without it. Neither can I fuck by faitby 
unlefB God make me do it ; for it re faid, Deut. xxxii. 
He made thetn to fuck honey out of the Rock. It is God 
that muft give me both a mouth and (Irength to fuck^ 
faith in the habit, and faith in exercife. It is only the 
blowings of the north -tod fouth winds on the garden, 
that make the fpices to £ow out* Awake, O north 
Vfind, come thou fouth, hlpw upon tny garden; bring faith 
to life, that I may fuck honey from Chriil in the fa« 
cr^ment. Chrifl's breads are ,now full ; O let not 
faith be wanting^ for if it be Wtmting, I can fuck no-^ 
thing ; Bleffed be God, Jefus Chrift, my Redeemer, is 
the author of faith. Lord, increalc liiy faith, that I 
may fuck honey from the Rock.— *-But what honey 
may I expedl from ir ? Anf. The honey of pardon of 
[in. O how fweet is this honey !— The honey of 
peace and reconciliation with God; — the honey of a 
law^biding righteoufnefs ; — the honey of accefs to, and 
communion with God ; — the honey of enlargement of 
heart, and loofing of bands, &c. Q let me ever fuck 
from this Rock, the Rock that anfwers all my needs, and 
richly fu^plies ail my wants. — Let me alfo, under all 
my ftraits, fupport myfelf with the Pfalmift's cordial^ 
Pfal. xviii. 46. The Lord Uveth, and biefpd be my Rockm 
VJhy Ihould believers in Chrift droop in any condi- 
tion, or look like dead men, while their Lord liveth^ 
and their Rock Itandeth ? BlefTed be God^ ta>j >kwlL 
is a Viving dod Idliing Rock , my Ko^ts mv^ ^\t^ xa.^ 
comforts die, my frames die, my g\iu» m^ ^^A^^ "*»^ 
my relations, fhefc may all die-, buv.1 te\o\« vo. ^5>2 



30 SACRAMENTAL 

news, that my Lord will not die, nor my Rock fall. 
He once died for me, but he isrifen again ; good newsf 
Now*hc is alive, and will die no more. 

MEDITATION VIL 

From Zech. xii. lo. 
They /boii look upon nw whom they have pierad, and mourn* 

THIS promife hath a refpeft, not only to the Jcw» 
when converted, but to all finners when brought 
to repentance.* We have all pierced Chrift, in as much 
aa our fins were the caufe of his death 5 He was wor^nJ" 
edfor our tranfgrejftons. Now, a believed fight of z 
pierced Saviour, is the beft fpring of forrow for fin ; 
it is faith^s look to a crucified Chrift, that will-fet us % 
mourning after a godly fort. O that this promife may 
be made good to me at this time, that I may be helped 
to look believingly upon Chrift as pierced for my fihs» 
my pride, my pailion, my unbelief, my carnality, mj 
difobedience, my impenitence, my fins of the heart, tjt 
the tongue, and of the life, that I may confefs and 
bewail them, mourn and weep over them before the 
Lord. Oh I when (hall I mourn 2nd weep if not now^ 
when lam called to lock upon my dear Lord and Su- 
rety at liis table, all red with blood for my red and 
fcarlet-coloured fins ? I will not i ow ftand afar off, 
and look to my Saviour on the crofs« as thefe women 
who followed him from Galilee, Luke xxiii. 46. No,. 
I will come clofs to him, take a near look, and a nar^ 
row view of his wounds and piercings by fins, that I 
may fee how wide and deep they are, that my eye may 
affeft my heart with godly forrow for fin. 

When 1 look on him, I'll cunfider the dignity of the 

perfon pierced by and for me-, he is the Almighty Ore* 

ator, the glorious Emmanuel, the Plant of renown, the 

Prince of the kings of the earth, that is pierced and 

nailed to a crofs. Jeremiah lamejits in the captivity, 

that princes were hanged up by the h^iud^^ L^a\, v. 12* 

Ifut what were the princes of Wrae\ to xXit^tvcvc^^l 

^<^^ce^ the King of Glory, whoTU 1 V't^ Yv3ctv^\"cv^ tvi\V\ 



MEDITATIONS. 31 

through the hards on the crofs, and his blood poured 
out like water upcn die earth! O it is royal'bloodi 
the blood of God, that I fee running down to fatisfy 
judice for my fins; and will not fuch a hght caufc mc 
to mourn for them ? Can 1 look on my lovdy Kcv'tim- 
er, ftript naked, mounted up, and fix^d wii -. n:»!l- nj ^ 
tof menting crofb f Can I fee his head pit ! .: .1 v ic.'; rh . rr.p, 
his back pierced with fcourgings, lui iid:).!.- ajuI rest 
pierced with big nails, his fide* pi-;cti w.:n 4 ibi;j»^, 
and his heart pierced with forrows foi u»y (in-, ^cA •• y 
heart not mourn for them? Yet all 1)11 j>:crcn)^o in.i 
wounds of his facred body were but f;i.ali, ro lIu pier- 
cings and agonies of his foul, v/hcn he dranL the cup ut 
his Father's wratli for me,' which maJt him cry out^ 
My foul is exceeding forfoiifful even unto d.aih; my God, 
my Godf nuhy haft tlm$ forfaken me? Can I beheld this 
loving Jefus, Handing in my room, bearing the wrath 
of a Ueity for me, and my heart not bleed ! Can I fee 
Kim, wheiT the fuord of juftice was drawn to finite me, 
opening his breall: to receive the (Iroke into his l:eart, 
and my heart not melt within me ? Lord, grant me 
fuch a fight by faith, of a wounded bleeding Saviour, 
as to make me a melting and mourning finner. 

How can I leave this fubjecl until my heart be more 
affeAed ? Had I heen perfonally at Mount Calvary, and 
with my bodily eyes had fcen my dear Redeemer rack- 
ed and nailed to the tree ! Had 1 feen him lifted up be- 
tween heaven and earth, that the nations might behold 
him, with his arms (Iretched out to embrace fmners ! 
Had I beheld his dying looks, and heard his dying 
'lirpans ! Had I feen his precious blood for many hours 
run from his wounded hands and feet to the earth ? 
Could I have ftood by with dry eyes, or an unconcern- 
ed heart, efpeciallv when I had thought he was fufFer* 
ing all this out of love to me, for my fins, and in my 
room! — Why then fhould I not be as much concern- 
ed, when I come to his- table to celebrate the memotUl 
of that fearful tragedy, and look upon tVi^ owXNa^x^^v^^ 
which reprcfcnt the lame I Loid^ ^w^ rcvt. t^vOc^^^^^ 
to behcJd the things rigniij^A thetcX)^^ tNexi\52wt.>a\R.v 



SI • SACRAMENTAL 

ing and dying of the glorious Emmanuel.— And what 
kind of blood is it I fee running down ? It is innocent 
' blood I precious blood ! royal blood! heart blood! Nay, 
the blood of the eternal Son of God; one drop whereof 
is worth an ocean of our blood, and is of infinite value; 
and yet behold all this blood is (hed for fuch worms at 
I am ! O can I think long upon, this fubjeft, and not 
find my heart pained with love, and be ready, with Jo- 
feph, to feek a fecret place to weep in ? Had an ordi- 
nary man been executed for my crime, it would have 
affe£ked me all my days ; how much ihould it touch me 
to fee the Son of God put to death for me ! The fun 
fainted, the heavens mourned in black, the earth qua^ 
ked, and the rocks rent, when this black tragedy waa 
adied; how much more fhould my heart rend and 
mourn at the reprefentation of it before my eyes ! Sure- 
ly my mourning fhould be great, deep, and bitter mourn- 
ing, as in the text, Jike the mourning of a parent for 
the death of an only fon ; or like the mourning of H^ 
dadrimmon in the valley of Megiddo I O what was the 
death of King Jofiah to the death of King Jefus, the 
eternal Son of God ! O my dear flain Lamb, (hall I not 
mourn and weep over thee ! 

Oh i can I fee his blood run down in dreams, and 
my eyes not pour out fomc drops I Did Chrift fweat 
blood, and weep blood for nl^y (ins, and (hall not I weep 
tears for them ! Shall I not give drops of water for 
dreams of blood I Alas ! I am more fparing of my tears 
for Chrid, than Chrid was of his blood for me I How 
fad did the blood trickle down Chrid's cheeks in the 
day he wore the crown of thorns for me ? But how 
flowly do the tears fall from my eyes when I comme- 
morate his dying love ? Can I (hed tears in plenty 
for a dead child! and have I referved none for a flain 
Saviour! Yea (lain by myTms I How fad is it to fee (o 
many weeping eyes at a funeral, and fo many dry eyes 
at a communion table ? Alas 1 this Is a fad (ign of few 
Joolcwg by faith to him we have pierced! few fen(ible 
of the er/J of their Cms, that were the \iamttiw* NiV:\t\t 
'f rare in the nails into his body. O £ot a it^iAXi^ ^Ot 



MEDITATIONS. jj 

of faith, reprefendng all that the Lamb of God fuffered» 
in the greateft certainty and cleared evidence, that it is 
no devifed fable. O for an applying and appropriating 
aA of faith, to bring all home to myfelf, and fay, lu 
loved me, and gave himfelffor me! 

What a hard heart is this I hate beyond others! Can 
I fee others weeping and mourning oyer a flain Sa?iour» 
that fit at the £ime table, eat the fame bread, and drifik 
the fame cup with me, and cannot I get one tear! 1$ 
God come with his bottle waiting for my tears? Do o- 
thcrs pour into it plentifully, and have I not one tear to 
drop into God's bottle ? Iiord, what means the hardneff. 
•f my heart, and the drynefs of my eyes, at the fight of 
my Saviour^s bleeding and dying for my fins? Whea 
(hould I mourn and weep, it not now! Was there ever 
fuch anoccafion for tears! Oh! doth God intend to re-p 
(erve weeping for me in hell, where tears (hall never be 
dried up! this is what I deferve^ if I be hard-hearted 
and dry-eyed now. But, Lord, pity my hardnefs, and 
give me fuch a look as thou gaveft Peter, that may caufe 
me to weep, and weep bitterly, at the. reme^pbrance of 
my fins which pierced thee. 

ME P IT A T I O N VIIL 

From Luke xxii. 61, 62. 

The Lord looked upon Peter — And Peter v>ent out and wept 
bitterly. 

LORD, fince my looks to thee are fo flight, waver- 
. ing andincondant, that they make iittle or no imn 
preffion upon m]r hard heart, do thou vouchfafe to look 
upon me with pity and with power ; for thy looks arc 
efficacious, and melt down the harded. heart. O give 
me fuch a look as thou gavefl: Peter, when he denied 
thee, and began to curfe and fwear : A look that may 
bring me to myfelf, and caufe me to weep, and weep 
bitterly at the remembrance of my fins, my atL!a^V\&\^ 
my pride, my paffion, my difobedieuce^ Nk\v\c\v Y>^«tc«A. 
r thee, my deareit Lord and SaviQUT. Look tbou u^n nve^ 
a/7d//e merc^ulunto me, Pfaloi cxix. i A^* C\Mn&i^^»^ 
C 



,16 SACRAMENTAL 

ibis blefled fun, and wait until he draw by the cloud, 
look through and fhine upon it. Lord I tremble to gO' 
to thy table with this hard heart, ltd thou fhouldft look 
•n me with anger, as thou didft upon thefe, Mark iii. j 
5. upon account of the hardnefsof their hearts. Lord, j 
I defire to be grie/ed for my heart-hardnefs, and to look 
to thee whom I have. pierced by it. Give fuch a look I 
to my heart as thou gave to Peter's, melt it down into 
penitential tears, and caufe me to go afide and weep 
bitterly. 

Chriit^s look caufed Peter to remember and think up- 
on Chrift's words to him* It is in and by his word that 
he works upon finners hearts. O if the fpirit would 
bring the word to my mind, fet it powerfully home upon 
my confcience, and fo give the happy Wrn to my fouL 
Lord, help me to lay up thy words, and ponder them 
tn my heart: and O bring them always feafbnably to 
my view, that when I fall I may not lie long under fiOf 
^r continue in a date of backfliding from diee. May 
'fhitrt fuch a look from thee, as ihall look all my idols 
cut:of countenace, and look my wandering heart into a 
rig||ll frame for covenanting and communicating work: 
A look that (hall put new life in all my drooping gracesj 
and kindle fuch a flame of love to Chrift in my heart, 
and of indignation againft fin, as all the devils in' hell (hall 
never be able to quench. A look that (hall make me 
weep, while I live, for piercing Chrift the Lamb. 

Oh, (hall others flied tears in plenty for fin, and my 
eyes remain dry ? Shall others get their hearts broken, and 
mine continue hard 1 Lord, thy grace is free : O how ea- 
fy were it for thee to melt my heart, and moiften my eyci: 
One touch of thy hand, nay one look of thy countenance, 
one caft of thine eye, is fufficient to do it. O turn unto 
me, and give me one merciful look: for thy ordinance 
will be lifeleis, ^nd loft unto me, if thou look not on me. 
How can 1 go to thy table to behold Jefus, my furety, all 
red with blood for my red and and fcarlet-coloured fin^, 
fvhjle my hcsift doth not mourn, not txv^ e^t%iutv d^vu I 
Purely the Ilreams of my Saviour's ^ood de^wt, vc^\^ 
Mmented with tears of blood, and ft^iVi ^ ^^^ ^^ '^^^"^ 



MEDITATIONS. 35 

Chrift's look to Peter was a powerful and overcoming 
look; it conquered his will, loofed him from the world 
and fin, and made him yield^prefentlr to Chrift:he was 
g not able to hold out a moment longer, but, like Jof<:phy 
I fecks a fecret place to weep in. O how powerful is a 
I look from Chriftl It is fufEcient to b?w the molt ftub- 
I born Will, and melt the hardeft heart; it can tVLTXitie rock 
f Intojlanding 'water ^ and thejlint into a fountain of water ^ 
I Pfalm cxiv. 8. How powerful was the look he gave to 
\ poor Jerufalem, when lying in their blood; a look that 
caufed ,them to live, £zek. xvi. 6. How powerful was 
the look he gave to Zaccheus on the fycamore tree, Luke 
xix. 5 O for fucb a look as would bring nie prcfently 
down, in like manner, from the Sycamore of my felf* 
conceit and felf-righteofunefs, and from my beft beloved 
fins and idolsi and caufe me receive Chrift joyfully into 
mir heart, and go with chearfulnefs to his table, and re- 
ceive the fcal of his covenant faying, mj Lord^ and my 
God! 

CSirift's look to Peter was a peculiar and di(linguiOi« 
ing Idok^ the power and grace of God went alonglt with 
it to change Peter's heart, and bring him to his right 
mind. Chriftlookedonmany thoufands that were ne- 
' yer the better of it. He looked on Judas after he be- 
trayed him, and when he prefnmed to kifs him, and re- 
proved him too for his bafe treachery: But neither that 
look nor reproof melted his heart. As the beams of the 
very fame fun hardens clay and foftens frozen earth; fo 
a look from the fame Jefus, the Sun of Right eoufnefsy left 
Judas hard and impenitent, whilft it foftened Peter's 
heart. The one went on in his villainy, whilil the other 
relented, and melted into tears. Why? he looked but 
on the face of Judas, but he looked on thelieart of Peter. 
He looked upon the one with a frowning judicial look, 
but Ipoktd upon the other with a recovering and draw. 
ing look. Chrilt's look to Peter was accompanied with 
the inward influences of his fpirit on hu Vv^^u^ ^xJwtx- 
ways it had been ineffeclual. Oh, \i ^^ 'wo>a\!\ n^m^Ocw- 
fafc fuch a gracious look to my (tozcu Yvc^W.^ 2x1^ W^J^ 
en'stFlwould /am bring my hardheail 2111^1^^ \\.>q«^« 

C 7. 



38 SACRAMENTAL 

perfererance, and thereby to teach us to be followers of 
thofe who tbro' faith and patience do now inherit the 
promifes. Chtift keeps the door bolted for a time, that 
we majr knock the harder, Matth. vii. 7. Aflzyfeek^ 
knock. The choiceft mercies come to us after the great- 
eft wreftlings. Likewife I fee here, that there is love in 
Chrift's heart to wreftling fouls, even when frowns ap« 
pear in his looks *, wherefore let me take encouragement 
from him, though he (lay me, yet to truft in him* 

1. Another fore trail the woman met with, was the 
anfwer Chrift gave his difciples when interceding for 
her, whereby he feems to exclude her out of his commif* 
fion, ver. 24. lam not fent but to^ the loofi Jheep of the 
houfe of IJraeh The Jews were called fliecp, but the 
Gentiles dogs. The Jews were indeed to have the firft 
offer of ChriiVs grace and purchafe. Though the wo- 
man might have taken Chrift's words as a plain repulfe, 
yet {he ftudies to put the beft fenfe on them (he can, and 
continues her importunity. Which teaches us never to 
leave the Throne of Grace for any difcouragement. 

3. she gets a rcpulfe yet more fharp than the two for- 
iner, even after (he had come clofe up to him, and fallen 
do^o at his feet, faying, Lm-dy help me. Then it is Chrift 
ranks her among the dogs, thefe that were without the 
covenant, profane and unclean. Now, one might think 
ihe is cut ofFby that word, and will infift no more after 
It. Nay, ihe takes hold of that word of reproach, and 
pleads upon it in the text. Truths Lord, I am a dog^ vile 
^ and unworthy ; yet. let me humbly aik the dogs room 
and privilege, even to creep beneath the children's table, 
and gather fome crumbs of mercy. O how much is con- 
tained here for our inftruftion and imitation! 

I ft. What caufe have we, O Lord, to blefs thy good- 

nfs, that we Gentiles, of dogs are now become children, 

and allowed to come -to thy table ! And, at the fame 

lime to fear thy juftice, (ince the Jews, of children,. arc 

J70W become do^s, and (hut out as unclean! If they were 

eat off" who crucWcd ihec in thy lo^r eftaxt^MiYwx mv| 

iw expeOj if by our Bns, we crucify tkicc lu tl^^ ^ot^^ 

^^ w ijotbe high minded but fear^ 



MEDITATIONS. 39 

2dly, Chrift puts the ftrongeft faith of his people 
upon the harped trials: He thinks Htj for his own glo« 
' rjr, where he gives much grace to try grace rfluch. 
*3dly, Thofe who are eminent in faith are mod hum-» 
ble; this woman was fo. O how humbly did (he plead 
with Chrift ! She threw herfelf on theground, lay low at 
his feet, and from the duft^ cried for help ; {he claimed 
nothings only begged for mercy. And when Chrift fpur- 
ned her from his feet, calling her a dog, ihe doth not 
murmur nor complain of his harlh carriage, but hum- 
bly tikts with the charge ; Truths Lord^ thou doft not 
mifcal me^ nor call me fo bad as I am ; 1-am a dog^ a 
moft vile and unworthy creature, and have no right 
to the children's bread, and muft Itarve if thou haft .not 
mercy upon me. She can bear any thir.g, the worft 
frown Xxi chaftifement from Chrift, only (he can't bear 
being excluded from his rhercy and gr.ice; ftie would 
havQ fome tc^ken of it^ though never fo fmall : She claims 
not a Benjamin's meal, nor a child's portion, only let 
h^i have a dog's crumb. Lord, I take patiently the 
ftripe from thee \ give me but a crumb after it^ and I'll 
go away fatisiied. Surely the more humble any fup- 
plicant is at the throne of Grace, he comes ftill the better 
fpeed; for the Lord reftjls the.preudy but gives grace t» 
the humhk. 

4thly, God's ufual method of difpenfing his mercy 
and grace to (inners, is firft to caft them down before 
he raife them up ; he firft humbles and lays them low 
in a fenfe of their imworthinefs and vilenefs, before he 
advances them to his favour. ' We ynuft firft fee our- 
fclvcs to be as dogs, lefs than the leaftofall God's mercier^ 
before we are fit to be dignified Vith the privileges of 
children. 

5thly9 when unbelief draws difmal conclufions from 
every thing, and tempts usto quit our grips and hopes, 
upon any dark difpenfation, and to fay with that 
wicked king, 2 Kings vi. 33. This evil is of the l-orai^ 
W^^eulii I wait fur the Lord any longer I "fi*^^^* 
faidijs MvaUsiat and importunate gcac% 'v^. ^>aX'*^ 
Mi amOruaions upoa all Chiift?* ^etvOTL%s'vc\A «»» 



40 SACRAMENTAL^ 

fighted, to fee and take hold of all advantages to 
(Irengthen itfelf, and finds encouragement even in that 
vi^hich 18 difcouraging. That which feemed tp cut off 
this beKeving woman's hope, (he improves it as a 
ground of hope, and an argument in prayer, Trgtif 
Lord, yet the dogs eat ^ &c. q. d. Even the worthlefs dogs 
belong to the family, and though the,y may not feaft 
with children at the table, they may creep under it and 
gather crumbs, thefe oiF-fallings that would be fwept 
to the door ; this will not wrong the children. Let 
me (land in relation to Chrift, though in the meancft 
ftation, even that of his dog ; Til be thankful for it^ 
or for any thing, if he do not turn me out of the 
houfe. 

6thly, When our difcouragements are greateft, we 
fiiould learn, from this woman, never to give over the 
exercifc of faith and prayer : but to look on all our dif- 
appointments in the fuccefs of prayer, as excitements 
to greater earneftnefs in prayer. Faith will not fet 
limits to the Holy One ; though fpeedy anfwers1>e not 
given to our prayer, it becomes us to wait God's time, 
who is the bed judge of the fitted feafon : He that h§. 
lieveth ivill not make hqfie j Why ? he knows his extre- 
mity is God's fit opportunity, 

7thly, A refolute adhering to Chrift by faith under 
trisds, is mod pleafing and acceptable to him j as 
when we perfcvcre in the ufe of means when fuccefs 
is fmall, when we depend upon his promife, and look 
to his power*, when under the darkeft difpenfations 
we watch over our h<^rt8 and deps, that they, do not 
decline from his ways, as thefe in Pfal. xliv. 17, i^ 
And glory to him th&t gives us fuch encouragement 
for this refolute adherence to him, as the merciful- 
nefs of his nature, and his faithfulnefs, which aflure us 
there is more good-will in his heart, than is. vifible in 
his dealings *, and that his providence will never give 
2fJs word the lie. He gives fecret dreiigth to his 
people to adhere to him^ when he Items mo^ o^^o^tft 
to them, as he did to this woman. He lo^cs t» Wuv^ 
^^^tit hJs people^s ixierciee by mcam Vmipto\MJt>Vi ««^^ 



MEDITATIONS 41 

contrary, to glorify his wifdom. He delights to bring 
light out of darknefs. 

8thly, Great will the reward at laft be of the belie- 
ever's faith, humility, and perfeverance in prayer ; for> 
faith Chrift at length, v. 28. O woman, great is thy 
faith i he it unto thee even as thou *u}Ut, 

MEDITATION X. 

From I Cor, ii. 24 
This do in Remembrance of me. 

/^ My foul, here is a folemn ordinance inftituted for 
^^ keeping up the remembrance of a crucified Jefus; 
and behold it was appointed by himfelf, when he was 
jaft a-going to do more for us than all the angels in 
heaven could have done, even to make atonement for 
our fins by his death and fufierings; and he twice re* 
peats his dying charge to us, v. 24. and 25. This Jo, 
this do ye. Men ufe to regard the commands of their 
^ying fiends, and perform their wills religioufiy \ and 
(ball not I with pleafure obey the will and command 
of a dying Redeemer, when the thing is fo eafy and 
agreeable, to eat and drink at his table in remembrance 
of him ? If I forget thee, O friend of finncrs, let my 
right hand forget its cunning, &c. 

Our loving Redeemer well knew the treachery of 
our memories, the worldlinefsof our hearts, and ia« 
conftancy of our afie<flions, that we would be ready 
to let his death and love flip out of our thoughtSi and 
therefore he would have the figns t>f his fufTering fre» 
quently prefented to our eyes. Alas ! for the curfed 
ingratitude of my hearty that is fo apt to forget him 
that remembered me when there was none to pity me ; 
but glory to him that takes fuch pains to cure my for- 
getfulnefs, by fetting forth Chrid crlicified fo evidently 
before my eyes in the broken bread and poured out 
wine in the facrament. — I look upon tV\\& ox^yyw^xl^^ '^^ 
ii vi/ibJe reprefcntation and comineuvot^uoti oS^xcc^ *^*^ 
wjour's death and fufferings for V\u ^^o^\^^ ^WOo.'t^ 
»iV; have continued till he come ag^ivw xo Yi^?fc^^"ox* 



42 SACRAMENTAL 

18 like a marble pillar fet up upon hifr grave with an in* 
fcription bearing account of his glorious atchievements 
and mighty dtcdsy his glorious fufferings, conflic^'s^ and 
viAories, for his people.— Wherefore, as oft as he 
calls me, I will go thither, and put all tlie honour and 
refpeA I can upon my kind benefactor : I will remem- 
ber his love, proclaim his worth, and publifli his praife. 
I'll hereby own myfelf before the world to be one of 
his difciples, and a follower of the Lamb. Til declare 
my abhorrence of (in that pierced him, and my garti* 
tude to the Lamb for the atoning facrifice he offered ixp 
for me upon the crofs. Fll triumph in this as the only 
ground of my hope. Til put the crown upon his head, 
and cad all my crowns down at his feet,, and crj^ 
Worthy If the Lamb thai was Jlain^ and has redeemed mi 
from mjjtns by his blood i worthy is be to receive all Hon^ 
our^ Foruerf Glory and Dominia, frr ever andiver* 
Glory to my dear Saviour, that feeks no greater re-. 
turn for all his labour of love, than a thankful remem- 
brance of it at his Table. Oh, (hall I grudge to give 
fiich a bmW return to him that fufFered the pains of 
death and hell for me I Had he bid me facrifice my 
firft born, and give all I have to the poor, or go in 
pilgrimage to the Holy Land to vifit his fepulchre, or 
go to the top of Mount Calvary where the' crofs ftoodj 
as a token of thankfulnefs for his love, could I have 
refufed it ? But he puts me to no fuch hard ta&— 
Lord, thou bids twt not go to a bloody fcaiFold to re- 
member thee, but to a well covered Table to do it. 
Thou bids me not go there to bleed or burn for thee, 
but to eat and drttik *, not the bread of affli£Uon, or 
water of adverfuy^ but bread that (Irengthens the heart, 
and wine that cheers the drooping fpirit, bread and 
wine which thou haft fandified and bkffed for me.— 
Surely, O dear Saviour, I owe my life to thee, nay a 
thoufand lives if I had them ; but it is not my life, but 
my memory and thoughts thou art calling for \ it is not 
io die for thee, but to remember thee. li'vA^ \\\<iVL 
drtni the cup of vnsLth on the ctols^ioi Wit^ ^tvA ^^^^^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 43 

rot I drink a cup of blefling at the taVle far tbee, nay 
for myfelf, and for my eternal falvation ? 

Let me go then to this holy table, with faith, love^ 
and thankfulnefs, to remember Chrift and his dying love, 
as he commands me. And while I remember himt. 
let me alfo receive and embrace hint, as my bleeding 
High Frieft, in the arms of my faith, and at the fame 
time throw my guiltv foul into his wounded arms, for 
faving me from.wratn.^ — Let me go and rjemember the 
soundings and piercings of my Redeemer, with a 
pierced and wounded heart for thefe curfed fins which 
nailed and killed the Prince of Life. Let me hence- 
forth be the death of fin, which was the death of my 
dear Saviour. Oh, (hall I fuffer fin to live any longer 
in me, that would not fufler my Redeemer to live in 
the world ? 

But let me confider mv High Prieft before-hand, and 
what of his fufierings I mould remember at his table.-— 
FIl remember how the glorious heir of all things de« 
nudtd himfelf of his riches and glory, ho^ he left his 
throne of Majefty to lodge in a virgin's womb ; yea, to 
be born among beads, and cradled in a manger^ for fach 
a worm as me I I'll remember how he was attacked by 
the devil, contradicted by finners, and reproached by 
the world for my fake ! — FU remember how forrowful 
. his foul was in the gardeni when the bitter cup was put 
in his hand ^ and how he fwate, how he prayed^ how 
he fell to the ground, till he was quite overwhelmed 
with wrath, and covered with his own blood for my 
fake l—rril remember how he was fold for a fmall price, 
and bafely betrayed by Judas; how he was taken by 
the foldiers^ tied as a malefactor with cords, denied by 
Peter, forfaken by all his difciples^ and left alone a- 
mong his cruel and infulting enemies.— Til remember 
how he was blindfolded, mocked, fpit upon, buffeted 
and affronted by ruffians a whole nisht, and patiently 
fufiered all for my fake. — FU remember how Kv^Vcs^^ 
countenance was disfigured witb.VAow^^.tv^xici!&^^^xis^L- 
Ing the hzir off his cheeks v and Vvow liic twt«Xft&. V-^s. 
erenheiun finr, was all beCoveaxcd 'wVii^iV*^^^ 



44 SACRAMENTAL 

fpitting for my ftarke. — ^I'll remember how he that clothe0 
the lilies of the field, was himfclf ftripped naked, bound 
to a pillar, and cruelly fcourged, till the pavement of 
Pilate's judgment-hall was all bedewed with his preci- 
ous blood. — rU remember how the crown of thorns 
was plaited with the (harp points turned inward, put 
upon his head, and driven into his temples with a reed, 
till they pierced his fkuU in many places, and a n^w 
fliower of blood run down his blefTed neck. — I'll re- 
member how the heavy crofs-tree was laid upon his 
fcourged and bleeding (houlders, and he made to carry 
it through the ilreet$ of Jerufalem, forth of the gates, 
and" up mount Calvary, 'to the place of execution, until 
his ftrength was fpent, and he foundered under the 
burden. — I'll remember how the crofs-tree was laid 
down and my Saviour ftripped naked and ftretched out 
upon it as a rack; and how he was fattened to it with 
four big iron nails through his hands and feet, and the 
crofs lifted up and let fall into a deep hole digged for 
the foot o^it, to the violent rending and widening of 
his facred wounds, by which he hang, until all his blood 
ftreamed forth at them, and he expired amidft the moft 
exquiHte tortures. 

ril remember alfo the fuiFerings of his foul at that 
time, M^ien the Lord ran upon him as a giant, and 
made his 'foul the butt of his envenomed arrows, the 
poifon whereof drank up his fpirits, until his ftrength 
was dried up like a potftierd. — Pll remember how his 
foul was troubled and nonplufled at the diftant pro- 
fped of this cup ; and how fOre amazed he was foon 
after, when it was put into his hafid. — I'll remember 
how the tafting of it caft him into a bloody fweat and 
agony, which dyed his garments red, and bedewed the 
ground where he lay, — I'll remember how he was bro- 
ken with breach upon breach, till all the fea billows of 
divine vengeance went over him, and the Lion of the 
tribe of Judah was made to roar under the ftrokes and 
bruifes of t^e jflaming fword, Pfal. xxii. i. — I'll remem- 
ber tAe dreadful hidings of God's ijice Yvt \^^ vcti^t^ 
''OiU he was made to cry. My God, my God> wbj baji 



MEDITATIONS. 45 

ihouforfahen me? — ^I'll remember the incxorablenefs of 
divine juftice, that would not fpare him one ftripe, bate 
him one farthing of the debt, nor one drop of the cup ; 
fo that he drank till he cried, It'ts fini/bed^ and gave up 
the ghoft. Glory to him for his love in finilhing the . 
, work. 

MEDITATION XK 

From PAi7/]^.'i. 23. 
For I am in ajtrait betwixt two.-^ 

AS the Apoftle was in a ftrait whether to chufe to 
die or to live, fo am I in a ftrait whether to go to 
the Lord's table, or to ftay back. Now, thou called 
me. Lord, to celebrate the memorial of thy death, yea, 
to fcaft with thee at thy holy table, and I know not 
what to chufe ; I am in a ftrait betwixt two. My heart 
is fo unholy, and my unworthinefs fo great, I tremble 
to go forward to feaft with a God fo holy, and whofe 
purity is infinite ; and yet my wants are fo many, and 
my neceflities fo great, that my cafe is hopelefs if I ftay 
back : Lord I can go to none elfe in all the world to 
fupply my needs, but to thyfelf alone. — But oh, when I 
think of going forward, my guilt ftops my mouth, and 
fillame withblufliing. Lord, if theholyangels^thefe pure 
and unfpotted feraphims, who burn in zeal for thy fer- 
vicc, muft even co/cr their faces before thee ; how fliall 
I venture into thy prefence, I whofe zeal is fo languifli- 
ing, whofe love is fo cold, whofe mind is fo earthly, and 
prayers fo dull? Shall I approach fo near a holy God in 
fucha cafe? But what then (liall I do? Shall I join with 
thefe worldlings who wer'e bidden to the feail of the 
great King, refufe, and make my excufe? Then I fear 
the King will be angry, declare me unworthy to tafte 
of his fupper, yea, fwcar in his wrath that I (hall never 
enter into his reft 

Lord, I abhor myfclf for my unworthinefs and vile- 

rtefs, my guilt and pollution •, but wV.t^ ^^W \ j^^ v^ 

get help and remedy for it, but unto ttvet ^\ou^*l >^'^^ 

fhou not bidden me come, though m^ Cirv^V>axd2.sc\vciv- 

fon^ Have not msmv fiirh rr,zr^t> tr^ tHee. ^tveLic^vxxvi^. 



i)[imy fuchcomc to t\\«»^^^ 



v^ 



46 SACRAMENTAL 

lief and help ? vSurcly, O Lord, thj goodncfs is grestt 
than my finfulnefs, and thy mercy lurpaffeth my mifery 
for though my Ens reach even to the clouds, yet thy mei 
cy is above the heavens. O merciful Father, extend th 
free, boundlefs mercy to a miferable, helplefs finnci 
Surely mifery is the proper ebje£t of mercy. Hoi 
God, if thou help me not for the fake of my miferic 
ivhich I have defcrved, yet help ine for the fake of th; 
mercies uhich thou haft promifed in Chrift, thydea 
Son. Wherefore I plead, for Chrift^s fake, th^t thoi 
wilt hear the cry of my miferies, and not the cry of m: 
fins. O doth not his precious blood cry louder for par 
don, than my fins for punifhment? Lord, hear the cr 
of that blo6d, and let it not be as water fpilt upon th< 
ground. For the fake of that prevalent blood, pity, par 
don, and accept a poor unworthy creature, that defirc; 
to obey thy call, and prepare his heart to feek th^c 
though he be not cleanfed according to the purificatioi 
€f the fanftuary. 

O Lord, though I may be afhamed to come to thee 
my needs are fo prcfling and pinching that 1 cannot fta; 
away. To ivhom Jhall 1 go but unto thee ^ for thou haft th 
*words of eternal lifef The whole creation cannot fuppi] 
my wants. Thou only art my fun, from whofe beam, 
I muft receive faving light : Thou art my head, fron 
whom I muft get fpSritual lifej thou art the root, fron 
which I muft receive fap and growth : Thou art th< 
fountain, from which I muft draw living water : Thoi 
art the treafure, from which I muft obtain the riches o 
grace. So that without thee I am nothing, I have no 
thing, I can do nothing.— To thee then muft I go for al 
fupplies, and out of thy fulnefs receive grace for grace 
—Lord, thou haft enough to fupply many worlds o 
needy fouls ^ for the fun is not fo full of light, nor th< 
iea fo full of water^ as thou art full of grace and mere; 
to needy creatures: And as thou art full, fo I am aflure( 
thou art free, and willing to cummuhicate thy fulnefs 
In fpite then of all objections and d\&c»\ues^ for wart 
to thee I will go J and caft myfc\{ down ^t v\\^ U^xs IJ 

-f ^^> J'p^rJ^. Oh I did ever w^ peiv^^ ^^. v^^^^ 

acor/ 



^ MEDITATION'S. 47 

Lord, I hare heard of thy mercy to th: rery chief ot 
finners, aud cannot thismercy reach the like of me? Sure* 
ly the viler Tinner I am, thou hail the fairer opportunity 
to Ihcw ihe riches of thy mercy, the freenefs of thy love, 
and t)ie efficacy of thy blocdi and if I be allowed to ihare 
therein, the fwjeter and louder will the eternal halelajahs 
be, that will be fung to the lamb of God on my account. 

that he would glorify his mercy, his love, and blood, 
in my relief. O where ihall a poor heavy Ud:n fmusr 
go, but to him that can free him of his burden? \/lkece 
(hall I go with a multitude of iins and niiferitrs, but to 
thee who hall a muhi:ud>2 of tender mercies? Waerc 
ihall I go with my deep and heinous guilt, but to thee 
who hall a deep fountain to wa(h it away r Behold one 
•depth calleth to another, the depth of my mifcry to the 
depth of thy mercy! My wound is great, but thy balm Is 
excellent! My fore is broad, but t.'iyplaiiter ii anlwci' 
able! O Lord te ffutniful unU mt^ heal m^ foul ^ fir I-iaje 

^nned againji thee. 

Lord, id not the gofpeUfeaft I am invited to a feaft oi 
charity^' to which- thou called not the rich^ but the poor, 
maimed, halt^ and blind, who cannot make any return 
for thy bounty? And may not fuch a miierablc object as 

1 am take encouragement from fuch a free exteniive in- 
vitation, Luke xiv. 21.— My bleiTed Redeemer, while 
he was on earth, did not difdain to eat with publicans 
and linAers, nor to dine with Simon a leper. And tho* 
be is now exalted in the higheft heavens^ yet he (lillre« 
tains the bowels of a man, and all tlie pity and charity 
to periling (innerb, he had while here in tius ilate of 
humiliation Wherefore, fenfible of my unworthinefs, 
loathing myfelf for my vilenefs, and truitiug to my Sa- 
viour's companion to the mifc^rable, I dciire to go for- 
ward to his holy table: O that he would direcl aud 
(trengtheu me to go about fuch a weighty work ! Let 
not that ordinance, which God hatli iuitiruttd for a blef- 
fing, be made a curfe to me through ;ny unworthy par- 
taking. Lord» rebuke all unfeaiunabie thoughts and 
wanderings that would mar the d\x\N s «tlL^\^\l^.TA•^<^^^^v;. 
in mc every proper grace, and ^tva/^v: vw^v^ vcn.'kcv^^^^ 



48 SACRAMENTAL 

that I may not diihonour, but glorify thee; I may not 
increafe my guilt, but augment my grace; I may not 
bring more hardnefs, but foftncfs into my heart. Lord, 
defcend into my heart by the influences of thy Spirit, 
that I may afcend up to thee by the adings of grace; and 
M'hen the King fits at his table, let my fpikenard fend 
forth the fmell thereof. Lord, I look to theefor ftrength, 
conduft, and through-bearing, in every flrait. I truft 
not in my preparations, but in thy free mercy, for Ac- 
ceptance j I truft not in my faith, but in thy ifaithfulnefs, 
who haft prcmifed to give power to the faint ; 1 truft 
not in my repentance, but in thy frqc pardoning mercy; 
1 truft not inmy doings, but in Chrift's doings. O tm 
away my fihhy garments, and clothe me with the beft 
robe. The Lord our Righteousness. / nviil n 
in ihejirength of the Lord Gad ^ I will make mention oftaj 
righiecuJviCjs^ e*uen of thine only. Awakey O north ivind^ 
afd come then fouih^ blow upon, my garden^ that thefpices 
may flow out, ifihy prefetice go not with me^ carry me not 
up hence. 

The lx>rd made a breach upon the Ifraelites for not 
feckinghimafterthedueordei', I Chron. xv. 13. — He 
fmote 50,ccoof theBethftiemites for an irreverent look 
into the Ark, which typified Chrift; and what caufe then 
have I to fear a ftroke, (hould I raftily touch the fymbols 
of his body and blood? — Seeing this ordinance is intend- 
ed for doing honour to the liing of Zior, O favc me 
frcm doing indignity tp him, by betraying him with a 
kifs, or by throwing his pifture, or great fed, into a 
puddle. — May I fo prepare for this feaft, that the blcf- 
ied mafter cf it may'fet I am watchful of his eye, ten- 
der cf his honour, and fearful of his anger. Lord, a- 
wake my heart, fiir up my graces, and prepare me for 
a meeting with my Saviour \ and let not my foul, whofe 
only hope is to be favedby Chrift's blood, be fent away 
from his table with the guilt, inftead of the benefit, of 
that bJood upon it. 



MEDITATIONS. 49 

MEDITATION XII. 

From Philip. \v, 19. 

But my God /ball fupply all your need^ according to his riches 

in 'glory y by Chri/l jfefus, 

HEAVENL-Y Father, out of thy rich bouhty thou 
waft pleafed once to lay up a great ftock for me in 
my progenitors hands, but they very foon fquandercd it 
all awayi fo that I am become extremely poor and needy. 
Oh I what can I do in this indigent conditionj but come 
back to thee for pity and new fupplies?— For ever blef- 
fed be thy name, for the reviving news thou 'haft pub* 
liihed in the gofpel; that thou haft now hid up a new 
ftock for bankrupt finners in the hands of a furety tteit 
cannot fail, and haft erected a throne of grace for fuch 
as I am to conoe fo in time of need, where Chrift Jefus 
my furety fits, as commiilioned by thee, with glorious 
riches to fupply my wjints — Many are the needs which 
thoii thinks fit to leave upon me, that I might have the 
more errands unto this throne, andt!\at thou mayeft the 
oftener hear my voice, O |)our out upon me a fpirit of 
grace and fupplication, and caufe me to delight ii) ap- 
proaching to thee, and pouring out my wants before 
thee, 

Beholdy Lord, a needy creature, an obje£l of pity, ap- 
proaching to a liberal Saviour, whofe fulnefs is infinite! 

how fuitable is it to my wants, which are great and in- 
numerable! I am ftarving, and have no bread; I am na< 
kcd>andhaveno clothing j I am wounded, and have no 
cure; I am in debt, and I have no money; 1 am polluted, 
&nci have no fountain; I am burdened, and have norelt; 

1 have deftroyed myfelf> and can find no help in myfelf. 
— But yet there is help for me elfewhere : Inave heard 
of the mercy of the King of Ifrael, and of the remedy 
he hath provided for thofe who are helplefs, loit, and 
miferable. Wherefore, though I be poor, I will not de- 
fpair, for thou art the Lord of the whoU vo\\^^ iix\W-8j^ 
opened thy freafures to the need^ v tVi^vi^^ ^^ "^^ >jjv:i^'^^- 
ed, I will nptdefpond, for thou Vi^^t\v^ ioMv^X-a^vcv^^^"^ 
itioa: Though 1 be naked, I wiUuotvJvxit ^^^a:-'^^' 

^^ ^ 



50 SACRAMENTAL ] 

from thee and hide myfelf; nay I will run to thee to co* j 
ver mc with the wool and fleece of the Lamb of God, c- 
ven the fpotlefa righteoufncfs and innocence of my Sa- 
viour : Though I be hungry and ftarving, I'll take encoUf 
ragement from the glad tidings thou haft proclaimed in 
the gofpel of arichfcaft forthe poor and needy. — Lord, 
J come to thee as the hungry to be fedjlis the naked to 
be clothed, ae the wounded to be healed, as the cold ftar- 
ving creature to the fire, as the unclean to be wafhed in 
thefountain thatisopened,not to thehoufe of David only, 
but even to the pooreft inhabitant in Jerufalem. Glory 
to God, that it is fo free and open to the poor and 
needy. 

Lord, I coir»e not to thy table becaufe I am worthyj 
butbecaufe thou art rich in mercy, and doft promife that 
the needy ft>all not be forgotten, and the expiiiation of the poof 
/hall not perijb : And that ivhen the poor and needy fuk 
ivatery and there is none^ and their tongue faileth for thirfl^ 
thou the Lord wilt hear thetn^ afidopen rivers in the wilder* 
fiefs ^ and fountains in the mid/l of the valleys, O come, 
do as thou haft faid, pity a poor, needy, perifhing crea- 
ture, and fill my narrow vefTel out of the ocean of thy 
mercy, where it willnotbe mifled. — Come to the fcaft 
of thine own appointment, and difplay thy fulnefs and 
liberality. Cail open the doors of thy treafures, and al- 
low me accefs to Chrift's unfearchable riches. — Thy 
word. Lord, doth aflure me, that in all ages thou haft 
bellowed thefe riches upon the poor and needy, Without 
money, and without price. And this doth warrant 
ine to plead with thee to come to thy houfe, wherei 
many needy beggars are gathered, and fcatter thy bounty 
among them,and admit me to gather with them. — Olet 
not fuch a miferable objedl go from thy door without an 
alms, without a crumb of the childrens bread, feeing 
there is bread enough in thy houfe, and to fpare. O let 
none return afhamed from the fountain who come ex* 
jpt(\iTig water. Thou haft promifed to pour water upon 
/Ae thrifty f and floods upon the dt^ gt^ivd. OVl, \% 
there dny more dry, more poor, moTeneea>j»t)^^til^xo\ 
,/^orc/^ njaU me as thirfty as \ am di^> ^^Ykutft>a\^ ^* 1 



MEDITATIONS. 51 

. am poor, and as fenfible as I am needy. Alas, that I 
have.fo little fcnfe of my wants! Oh, deal not with mc 
according to my (cnfe of need, which is fmall, but deal 
with me according to my real need, and thy royal boun- 
ty, which is exceeding great. 

O that I were poor and needy in my own eyes, and 
truly fenfible of my own vvantsj that 1 am drowned in 
jdebt to the lawandjuftice of God, owe many thoufands, 
and have not one farthing to pay; that I am deiUtutc 
of cv€ry thing that is good, can do nothing to pleafc 

. God, and am unworthy of the leait of his mercies. O 
that I were made willing to quit all confidence in my 
own righteoufnefs, duties, frames or attainmentsi and 
well content to go entirely out of myr«if to Chrift, for 
righteoufnefs to jultify me, and for his fpirit and grace 
to renew andfanclify my nature. 

Lord, I am poor, but I fee God has treafured up un- 
fcarchable riches, and infinite iulnefs in Jefus Chrift to 
anfwer all my needs; — I am naked, but 1 fee in Chrift 

~a robe of righteoufnefs, nhat islufficient to cover me, 
and a whole eledl world ; — I am a llarving creature, but 
in Chrift there is the bread of life, and the waters of life 
for my foul; — I am fuoliili and ignorant, but Chrift 
hath infinite wifdom to teach and guide me; — lam 
loaden with guilt, but Chrift'& facrifice is fufficient to a- 
tonc for it;~ I have ftrong luits and corruptions, But 
Chrift hath a kindly power to fubdue them; — I am un- 
der much darknefs, but Chrift is the light of the nvorldi — 
I am under fears and difcouragements, but Chrift is the 
confolationoflfrael;~I am wounded and fick, but Chrift, 
my phyfician, hath excellent b^lm for me; — I am under 
a burden of debt, but Chrift, my furety, is rich, and ful- 
ly able to pay it;— I am in prifon, and under bonds, but 
Chrift opens prifon doors, and loofes them that are 
bound; — I am father lefs by Adam*s fall, but Chrift is the 

everlalting father in whom the faiheriejs jind merc^i I 

have many enemies to purluc and accuVc it\^v^'i vwi Vv^^ 
ticcj Satan, and confcience; butChtivt cri'j •dd\>iCAX^ c^xv 

snfwer them alh^Thcrcioi^ 1 liee to\\\nvi!Ox \c,S.\x^O 
cJofe with him ia aJl his o&ccs, aud pu\. v^l >«\woVi ^^^ 
udcnce m hiau 



51 SACRAMENTAL 

It gives great encouragement to my poor needy foul, 
that 1 have a Saviour fo full of goodnefs and pity to look 
to, a mighty ?gent in heaven to plead my caufe, and to 
prefeiit my.bills, petitions and fupplications, to the Fa-, 
ther: I put all my requeds and concerns in his hand, 
and commit them to his care and management; heknowi 
the fitted rime to prefent them, and to fend me an an- 
fwer. In the facrament I fwear allegiance to thee, as 
my Sovereign Lord and King, over thy broke nlK)dy and 
fhtd blood; I engage to be a true and faithful foldier in 
thy anry, and to take the fi?ld againd thy enemies. 
Many pi.ces of furniture do 1 need for this warfare; I ' 
need the giidle of fincerity, the Oiieldof faith, the hcl- 
met of Jiopr, tl^e fword of the fpirit, the breaft-plateof 
righteoufiicfs, ard to have my feet fhod with the prepa- 
ration of the gofpel of peace. But glory to thy name, 
my Rcdeonur and captain of falvation hathj^rovidcd a \ 
noble armory ai:d dorcrhoufc to anfwer all thefe my nc- 
cefiiticG and wants. Lord, fupply all my needs out of 
thy infinite fulnefs, :\r)d fuiniflfi me with every thing. 
requifiie and ncceffary for the work and warfare thou 
called me linto. Oh, my enemies are lively, and they 
are drong: But I lock to my glorious captian, to gird 
nie with (trength for the battle, and to teach my hands 
to war. 

"^ MEDITATION XllI 

From Ephtf, in. 19. 
And to know the Love ^Christ, nvhicb pajfeth Inowledge^ 
• TT HERE fhall 1 begin my thoughts upon this fub- 
V V jeft cf the love oiChrift to nr.cn.^ And when be- 
gun, how (hall I make an end ? It hath a breadth and 
length, a depth *ind height that paiTrth knowledge. Jf 
the Apodle Paul, that had the brighted difcoveries of 
thif'love, ovned ihisTrnnch more may L 1 may foon- . 
er fir.d out the height cf heaven, the breadth of the 
enrth, or the depth of the fea, than meafurc Chrid's love* 
/r /i /.73 i/z./^jfAomable ocean thatb^lVi x\m\\w>avcvVT«« 
^our/rt. O wlntkcT did his love cutt^ VvirvX ^tomxicift 
^^^'ght of glory to tJiC de^th cf mifeii.Uo^YoNi^xvd^fL^Tj 



» our fall, that nothing could recover and raife us up» 
the low abfement of the Son of God, the King of 
)ry? How low was tlie ftep he made to help us up; 
n to put on our nature, and fuffer liimfelf to be 
reed for our tranfgrtflions, and bruifed for our ini- 
ties! Blefled Lord, thou, tookell not on thee. the na« 
z of angels, but the feed of Abraham ; thefe are fafk 
nd up from thee with with chains of darknefs, whilft 
u draweft us to thee with cords of love! How dif- 
^uifliing was thy love to man, that brought thee from 
vcn to earth, from the throne to the manger, from 
manger to the wildernefs, from the \v;ildernefe 
he garden, from the garden to the judgment-hall^ 
n the judgment-hall to the crofs, from the crofs to 
grave 5 yea, from the glory of heaven to the torments 
lel], and all for creatures that were black and ugly as 
.! How wonderful is the fight thou called me to fee 
he Lord's tabic ! Even to fee him fufFering for fin 
t never committed fin ! To fee him made Jin for us^ 
7 knew n& Jtfty that loe, who knew no righteoufiiefs,' 
bt be made the rigkteoufnefi ofUod inkim! An amazing 
it indeed! * 

sordy ivhat is man that thou art mindful of him I O 
It is he that thou fhouldil magnify and fet thy heart 
him ! And what am I, the word of men, and vilcft 
inners, that thou fhouldil (loop fo low to exalt me. 
It thou fhouldil endure the poverty of this worlds 
: I might enjoy the riches of heaven ! Be content to 
in the form of a fervaut, that I might have the a- 
tion of fons! Be willing to bow thylclf unto death, 
aife me to eternal life ! Be content to be number- 
.mong tranfgrciTors, that 1 might have a room among 
biefl'ed! To be crowned with thorns, that 1 mij|hc 
;rowned with glory ! To be condemned before men, 
: I might be jullxfied before God ! TVdrink the bit- . 
:up ot wrath, that I might drink the pure river of life! 
cry out in iorrow upon the ctofs^ iVv^l V tca"^:^ \\v* 
->}! with joy, upon the throne \ 'to V\^u^ Ai^"^^^^ ^^ 
th of hcJl furmce, to keep its SLam^^ itoccw^vt^'^- 
ut on me I O Lord Jefus, lUv \o\e tv^x\v on^x^^^' 



54 SACRAMENTAL 

allbanks^ and thjr compafGon. knew no bounds I Can I 
thiiik on it, and oiy heart not burn ! Can I fpeajc of ii, 
and not be overcome, fo as to feek, with Jofcph, a fecret 
place to weep in ! 

O love that pafT.th knowledge ! How (ball I think 
of it and not (land amazed I That the general (hould 
die for the foldier, the phyfician for the piitient ! That 
the righteous Judge of Heaven lliould come to the bar, 
put himfelf in the malefaflor's clothes, and be eoa- 
demned for him ! That the blellid Son of God (liould^ 
interpofe his innocent bread to receive the mortal 
ftroke for us ! That God all-fufErient fliould be ex- 
pofed to hunger and thirft, to grief and wearinefsi aad 
the vileft reproaches and indignities, for worms like 
us ! Behold the creator of the world wounded^ man- 
gled|. and killed, by ungrateful creatures, whom he 
came to five ! behold nis bowels yearning towards n 
them who raked in them with- their bloody hands I 
Behold his heart burning with afFe£lion towards them 
that cruelly pierced it ! Surely a believing view of this 
love of Chriii is fufficient to mollify a heart more cold 
and frozen than ice itfelf ! O love unfathomable ! Who 
canmeafure its dimenfions ! Ic hath a heightwithout a 
top, a depth without a bottom,^ a breadth without a 
fide, a length without end ! Adonifhing lore I ^hat 
my exalted Lord ihould (loop fo low as to become a 
man ; nay, a poor man, a man of forrows, a dcferted 
man, a. dying man, and alio a dead man, for fucb a 
wretch as me ! Nay, more, that he (hould ftoop to be 
made. a curfe, and underly a dreadful load of wrath 
upon his innocent foul, infinitely more heavy than 
wiiat is laid upon any damned foul in hell ! 

O what a ica of wrath did my loving Jefus fwim 
thro' to fave me from perifhing ! Behold how that ra- 
ging fea wrought, and was tempeduous, roared moft 
terribly, and threatened to fwallcw me up with the reft 
of the cltti vorld) till once my Redeemer ftept in, 
aj3{/ undertook to be the facr\&ce £oi c?\rcv\T\^\.Vvfc i^tz. I 
.TaA-e me up, (Taid he, like ]onaVv) at\d\ivio>w m^\wt^ 
^^e rep, and ye Ojall be all fafc- lu x\i\^ ^^^ ^^•>' ^^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 55 

tlefled Jonah was content to fwim for thirty-three years, 
without feekii)g deliTerance, till once the fea was per- 
feftly calm, and eve: y ele£k foul out of danger. Mar- 
vellous loving-kindnefs I OH that I could, with a fuit- 
able frame of heart, both remember and admire re- 
deeming love^ and redeeming blood, when I go to fit * 
dowti at my Redeemer's table. O that I may there get 
faith's fight of the various inftanccs of his love^ that 
paffcth knowledge. Let me there view Chrift in the 
womb, and in the manger ; in his weary (leps* and 
hungry bowels ; in his prodrations in the garden, and 
clotted drops of bloody fweat. Let me view his head 
with a crown of thorns, and his face befmeared with 
the foldier's fpit. Let fne view him in his march to 
Calvary, and his elevation upon a painful crofs, with 
his head bowed down, and his fide ftreaming blood-! O 
unparalleled love I It had been wonderful love to have 
fent one of the lofty Seraphims to fufier for us ; but to 
give him whom all the Seraphims ferve and adore, it"- 
Jove thai paffeth knowledge ! Let me view the Scripture 
defignations and titles of him that loved usy and gave 
him/elf fir uSy that he might wafih us in his blood. 

He is our * Emmanuel, the Wonderful, the Coun- 
« fellor, the mighty God, the everlafting Father, the 

• Prince of Peace, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, 
« the Prince of the kings of the earth, the Lord of glo- 
« ry the Rofe of Sharon, the plant of renown, the bright- 
« nefs of his Father's glory, the exprefs image of his 

• perfon, the bright and morning ftar, the fun of righte- 
' « oufnefs* the light of the world, the head of the church, 

« the beginning and firft-born from the dead, the ap- 

• pointed heir of all things.' This is he that loved us^ 
and gave him/elf io die for the redemption of a crew of 
rebels, grace-abufing, and gofpeUilighting finners ! Oh, 
what am I that thou fhouldft fpare, yea, ranfom and 
feaft me in fuch a manner 1 Long ago mighttit thou 
have Ihaken off the hand of thy providence fuch a viper 
as I am into fire unquenchable ; and there made me 
to know, 10 fad experience, what it is \<i ^fci^^fe.Sx^^ 
grzcc, by the lots of ctern-cvl gloi^. — li\^>L^\\\'C^^'^^'^S.'^-\'^> 



56 SACRAMENTAL 

thou haft pitied me, loved me, become my furety, to 
appeafe juftice for my heinous fins by thy bloody when 
BO other facrifice would do. Lord, I welcome thy 
love-feaft; I lay my hand on the head of thefacrifice, 
and reft upon it ; / beUeve^ Lordj help^ my unbelief. O 
that I may henceforth live under the continual fenfe of 
my infinite obligations to my glorious furety, that could 
make his foul an offering for mjfm. O what return fliail 
I give him for all hfs foul-travel and agonies for me ? 
O that I could fpend my whole life, and each day .of 
it, in magnifying his love, and living to his praife. 
Now, hlejfed he his glorious name for ever and ever / let 
the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and A- 
men. 

MEDITATION XIV. 

From Luke xxii 45. 

jfs being in an agony^^his fweat was as it were great drops 
of bloo d 

My foul, this text afFords thee great fubje<5l of 
thoughts, when thou gocft to remember thy dear 
Saviour at his table. Here I fee him in a bloody ago- * 
ny ! And firft, let me obferve the place where his ago- 
ny began, the garden of Gethfemane, which lay in the 
valley of Jehoihaphat, on the eaft fide of Jerufalem, at 
the foot of the Mount of Olives. Now, it was in the 
valley of Jehofliaphat that God did plead with the na- 
tions in Chrilt their furety, Joel. iii. 2. The word 
Gethfemane fignifics a mill or prefs for olives, as being 
probably the place where they prcfled the olives that 
grew on the Mount, and there fqueezed the oil out of 
them. In this place, it pleafed the Father to bruife 
Chrill our true olive, that fo out of his fakiefs the frelh 
oil of his merit and grace might flow abundantly 
to needy fouls. Never was there fuch an olive prefled 
there before, fince the firlt planting of that Mount ! 
Never was there fuch precious oil ittw as Jefus's blood ! 
O that //na/ partake of the root ^ud^^iivtf^ of that 
good olive ^ which was preffcd hexc, ;vT:\d oi \\\^n. ci\\> 
J^AcA TF-/// make my gracs to grow 2lvA n\^ ^•^C'i xo 



O 



8 it was In a gardet^ that man's fin and mifery firft 
in, fo it was in a garden that our bleffcd furety be- 
his lad expiatory fufFerings for fin, which call him 
a fearful- agony. As the garden. of Eden produced 
's miferay, fo the garden of Gethfemane provided a 
edy. O that when I walk and retire myfelf in a gar- 
, I may have grace to think ferioufly, and with fuit- 
affedions upon the fins of men, and the fufFerings 
ly Savidur for them ! and, at the fame time, to fend 
ny ejaculations to God, for an intered in his agony 
atonement, and for the comfortable intimation there- 
1 my foul. When' my dear Redeemer was in his a- 
f of foul, I read of his ofF^ring ufi prayers and fup* 
tiofjs to Gody ivithjirong crying and tears^ Heb. v. 7. 
have I no prayers nor tears to offer up to God at 
remembrance of his agony ! efpecially, when I con- 
r how much my fins'contributed to throw him into it. 
I how ftrong and bitter were my furety's cries at this 
;, when God bruifed his foul, and poured down a 
1 of his wrath upon him ? He cried, till he was 
It with crying; he grew hoarfe with it, and his throat 
Iried, that he could cry no more, Pfal. Ixix. 3. 
V was his foul in travel, and great caufc had he 
his flrong crying and tears ! He was filcnt under 
he pains of his body, and under his fufierings from 
j all that time he is dumby as ajbeep hefort his Jhearm 
-But, behold, when fierce wrath from God alighted 
[lis foul, he cries vehemently; and he prayed mofl: 
eftly and importunately for fupport and rhrouh- 
ing under this terrible ftorm. O that, from my Sa- 
r's example, I may learn, when under foul-trouble 
inward diftrefs, to make my prayers to God more 
eft and fervent, and to perfevcre without fainting; 
:h I have great encouragement to do from this, that 
Saviour's fervent prayers and tears have made way 
nine. 

obferve alfo in this paflage, that the agony of Chrift'a 
increafed fo much, that it piodMCtd ^i^^^^X Qi\\iv^<:i^ 
his body; yea, great drops ox c\o4^ol\3\oo^^^^^^\ 
i violent agoay, burft through Vu^v^x^ dv.o^^^^'^^^ 



58 SACRAMENTAL 

watered the ground where he lay. O what trouble and 
ahguifli, pangs and forrows, defertions and ftrugglings, 
muft hrefoul have endured at this time, under the bur- 
den of God's wrath for his people's fins, which put his 
facred body and blood into fuch a dreadful commotion 
and ferment! O what a prodigious and preter-natur«I 
fweat was this! Never was the like heard of fmce the 
world began! According to the courfe of nature, Chrift 
lying in the open air, in a cold night, upon the cold 
ground, with the greatnefs of his confiernation, fhould 
have drawn all his blood inward from the external parti 
of his body: But Chrift*8 fweatingand bleeding was aU 
together pretcr-natuarl. He fwate without external 
heat, he bled without external wound. The fire of di^ 
vine wrath, now kindled in his foul, was fo very hot and 
raging, that it made the blood about his heart to boil, and 
burft through both fleih and garments. — He had recei- 
ved at this time, no wound nor external violence from ■ 
any hand; no Judas, no foldier,no tormentor, had yet 
attacked him; no fpear, no nail, no thorn or fcourge 
had yet touched his facred body, and yet he bleeds mod 
plentifully! Oh, but the fword of juftice had reached^ 
him, and made a deep wound and wide gafh in his foul; 
at which breach a fea of wrath brake in with fuch vio- 
lence, that it overwhelmed him; made him fall firft on 
his knees, and then fiat on the ground, where he lay a- 
gonizing and crying, till all the waves and billows of di- 
vine vengeance went over him. Oh, what a dreadful 
preffure was my Saviour's foul under at this time! What 
fqueezing anguilh had he about his heart, that made his 
body to itruggle, and fweat in fuch a manner, fo thate- 
very pore of his body became a bleeding wound I O 
how awfully (houldl be affedled with this tragical fight! 
How thankfully fhould 1 remember my Redeemer^ love, 
when he calls me to do it at his holy table! 

In my Saviour's agony I may fee, as in a glafs» the 

malignant evil and curled nature of fin, that no lefs could 

atone for itf than the foul-travel and agony of the dear 

^on of God! Can I ever make Vight ol ^iv^ "wYitTv \ Nvtvi 

^/ie great drops of blood ftan4in6^V>ONtYiv^ ^w:ts»xvx»^ 



MEDITATIONS. 59 

while he lay grovelling on the earth in anguifh of his foul! 
Shall 1 not henceforth abhor fin, and (land in awe, of of- 
fending a iuft and holy God, feeing it is fuch a fearful 
thing to fall into his hands: If fuch things were done in the 
green treey what /hall be done in the dryP Was th^ cup of 
wrath fo terrible to the innocent human nature of Chrid^ 
when prefented to him, that he fhrinked and cried out! 
O what will it be to guilty (inners! Here I may fee how 
coilly the redemption of fouls is; ere this could be com- 
pafled, God muft be made man, eternity muit fufFer 
death, the Lord of angels muit weep in a cradle, the 
Creator of the world mult hang like a ilave! he mult lie 
in a manger at Bethlehem, cry in agony at Getlifemane, 
die on a crofs at Calvary ! 'Unfpotted righteoufnefs mu(t 
be made fin, and unblemiflied bleflednefs muft be made 
a curfe 1 O did Chriit value fouls at fo high a rate, and 
ihall men be fo foolifh as throw them away for a thing 
of naught! 

Here I may fee the great difficulty of making peace 
with God, when once his law is broken ; no lefs could 
do it than the blood, and foul-agony of the Son of God; 
even an infinite ranfom muit be paid ere God would 
be reconciled to man. O how much am I beholden to 
Chrift who undertook thcvreconciliation, that prevented 
my ruin, by taking the cup out of my hand I O the cup 
he drank for me was mingled with wrath and curfes, a 
cap full of vengeance prcflld down, heaped up, ihaken 
together, and running ovtr j a cup, which if men or an- 
gels had but t lied, they had reeled, llaggered, and fall- 
en headlong into hell: Yet, faid Chnlt, ere any of my 
elect ones drink it, 1 will do it for themj reach it hi- 
ther to me bitter as it is. — Oh how ready was Chriit to 
engage for men ! and how willing was he to perform! 
hovv ready, full, and free was the fountain of his blood 
to wafh the defiled I B::hold how. freely it iilued forth 
before a wound was opened j all his veinb and pores pour- 
ed it forthj without waiting for the tormentorb. Lord, 
make me as willing and ready to app\^\x.. \:i\^Q>cv\\^ 
wrelUe in an agony to obtain tht ledcKi^uoxv o^ \o^ ^^'C^- 
ners, and Oiaii not I wreltle as in au -^^otv^j x<;i ^^^-i? 

£ 2 



6o SACRE MENTAL 

interell in this redemption, and the evidences there- 
of cleared up to my foul ! O for ftiith and fervency in 
pVayer, that I my wreftle without fccafing for the affu- 
rance of his love, that I may go witH joy to his table. 

MEDITATION XV. 

From I/a» liii. 7. - ^ 

He opened not bis mouth ; be is brought as a lamb, to the 
Jlaughter. 

IT becomes me to read and confider thefe words with 
great attention, feeing they were the occaHon of the 
Ethiopian Eunuch^s converHon; for it was while he read 
and thought on thefe words, that God fent Philip to join 
him, A£ls viii. 29. O that God would, in like manner, 
fend his holy Spirit to join me while I aiti meditating on 
them. 

I. I obferve that Chrift is the great facrifice provid- 
ed by God, to make attonement for our fins: He is the 
great antitype and fubftance of all the lambs^ and beads 
inat were offered up in facrifice under the law, and 
therefore he is often in the New Teftament called^he 
Lamb, the Lamb of God, and the Lamb (hin. Phe . 
Spirit of God feems to have a peculiar delight in dwell- 
ing upon this type of the lamb, more than on any other 
of the Old Tellament types; and (houldnot I delight iii 
it too, and often with pleafure make mention of the 
Lamb, the worthy Lamb, that will be the objeft of the 
praiies of faints and angels through all eternity. 

2. Chriit is reprefented by a lamb to point out the in- 
nocence of his perfon, the mecknefs of his nature, the 
uf fulntfs ot his beneiits, aud his patience under fufFer- 
ings. How patient is the lamb under injuries ? It 
is fUent both before the Ihcar^T and butcher; it parts 
v'ith its fleece in (bearing time, and with its life in 
fi.u^htcr time, without any noile or rcfillance. Dogs 
iiiid Iwine howl and cry vvhen violence is ofFcfred to them 
but th& Jamb is quite filcnt. So Chrill the Lamb of 
God opened not his mouth, under tUe ^le^nt^^ \e.N\\\Y\^s^ 
^ockiiij^s, biilTetings, fpittings, p\etc\ivgfe>^ti^^^^^ ^^^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 6i 

cruel dcathi which he fufFered from men, i Pet. li. 23. 
and hence it is faid in the text, when he was led to the 
llaughter he opened not his mouth : He opened not his 
mouth unlefs it was to blefs, teach, or pray for thofe 
who injured him-, yea, he not only did pray, but alfo 
pled an excufe for ^hem, Father y forgive them^ for they 
know not what they do. And after hi.s refurreftion, how 
ready was this meek Lamb to forgive all that wronged 
him ! When giving orders to preach remiflion of fins 
to a loft world, he bids begin at Jerufaleniy Luke xxir. 
46. where they mocked and pierced liim, becaufe there 
they had greateft need of his blood to waih them from 
guilt. How meekly did our blefled Lamb carry to Peter, 
when he denied him in his h^faring? He did not turn 
and frown upon Peter, as he well defer ved, though he 
might have frowned him into hell ; it is faid only. He 
turned and looked on Peter y Luke xxii. 61. not with an an- 
gry look, but with an afF^ctioiiat? melting look, which 
recovered him to a penitent framt : N'ither did he after- 
wards upraid him with his carriage. O meek Lamb of * 
God! Can I remember thee at thy t/ihle, without being 
filled with remorfe and grief for my impatience under 
injuries, and the pronencfs of my heart to refent them? 
bhill I not be alhamed of my unchriitian remper, when 
I fee my meek and*loving Jefus willing to be the fport 
andderifion of men and devils, that he might be the au- 
thor of falvation to perilhing fouls? Oh, how alloniOi- 
ing is it to fee the Creator affronted by the creature, the 
potter by his clay, the King of Glory by worms of the 
earth and yet hold his peace ! Now, is the head fo meek 
and patient, and fhould not the members be fo too ? O 
how unfeemly is it to fee a company of fierce lions fol- 
lowing a meek lamb! O that 1 could learn more of him 
that is meek and lowly in heart. 

3. Here I fee the greatell inftance. of divine love 

that ever the world faw. Behold an offended God 

willing to fpare wretched criminals, ^wd taJ«Lft l^xv=.V^^- 

tioa from a farety in their room •, 2Lud Vvt Vi\tv\i<\^ ^^es.*^ 

out the lamb to be the facrificc, even \v\^ '&v.^xw?\ '^o^ 

wAo wJJJingly undertook to affume 2, bo<^^ iox \X\^^- ^•^'^ 



64 SACRAMENTAL 

to quicken me, my huft>and to fupply my wants, mf. 
guide to conduft me, my pattern to direft me in my 
fteps. Let me learn ffona his example, to be patient 
without murmuring, when I am under affliflion.— 
Let me learn meeknefs towards men, when I meet with. 
reproaches cr injuries from them. — Let me learn a readi- 
nefs to obey God's call to every duty. O did Chriftgo 
willingly to th>?ilaughterfor us, and (hall I be backward 
to pray, en manicate, part with fin, or do any thing he 
requir/rs of me? Let me, in all duties and ordinances, feck 
after the Lamb's prefence, feeing my eternal happi- 
nefs lies in being ever with the Lamb, and to be fed and 
led by him; Rev. vii. i6. 

MEDIT A T 1 O N XVL 

From Epi. i. 7. 
In whom we have redemption through his bloodn 

HOW ftifmal is our cafe by nature 1 We are ilavesto 
fin and Satan, and prifoners to the juftice of God, 
being fentenccd to die, doomed to wrath, and referved 
to public judgment and execution. In this miferable 
condition were all mankind, until Chrift came 10 ran- 
fom us ! And O how diilicult and codly was our re- 
demption to Chrift! n^iefs cculdbe the price of it than 
his precious blood. The glorious Son of God, who cre- 
ated heaven and earth, mull become a creature, bs born 
of a woman, and pour out his blood on an ignominious 
crofs, before we could be redeemed from fin and wrath. 
O how valuable mull the blood of this infinite perfon 
be ! W hat is the blood of earthly kings and priAccs to 
this blood? Surely one drop of it is of more value, than 
an ocean of theirs! and yet every drop of this blood was 
poured out upon the ground for our redemption.— In 
this blood 1 fee fundry things: 

I. The amazing love of Chrift, in {bedding his blood 

for the redemption of fuch creatures as I am ^ creatures 

moil ugly, that had Joft the image of God, and got Sa- 

tBus image pi&uttA in its room, ^ud weit ^twiXi-^ >at« 

came black as heJl — Creatures loathlorcvt ^^ d^^^ cvc- 

^^c/ls^ bcjng dead i^ trefpaffcB", and ^et lUfc \v^ \oNt^ 



MEI>ITATION S. 65 

fo a» to (bed his blood, and bleed to death for them. 
For as lovely as Sarah was, while alive, yet when dead, 
Abraham could look on her no more, but would have 
her buried out of his fight. But Chrid faid not fo of 
his eleft fpoufe when dead; no, faid he, let me bleed and 
die for her to bring her to life ; tho' at the fame time . 
fhe was more loathfome than Job with his boils, Laza- 
rus with his fores, or any dead Carcafe with vermin. O 
what caufe could be given for the love of a bleeding Jc- 
fu9 ? well might he fay, 1 loved you ^ hecaufe I loved you i 
and I love you freely. And O with what for row, pain, and 
agony, was his bleeding love attended, while his dear 
foul was overwhelmed with the terrible billows of his 
Father's wrath ! Chrift knew well beforehand all thefe 
fufferings, and all the ingredients in the cup, yet he- 
would needs drink it for us : He forefaw the poifon of 
God's arrows that would drink up hisfpirits; the burn- 
ing thiril that the heat of divine wrath would create in 
him; yet willingly did he go to bleed and die, like a 
lamb to the flaughter. O love thatpajfeth knowledge! 

2. In Chrifl's blood I iee the glory of infinite wifdom 
difplayed : Who could have found out a way to recon- 
cile juftice and mercy, and faftisy both their demands a- 
bout Adam's fallen race? A general council of angels* 
could never have tliought of the Son of God's being made 
fleih, and (bedding his blood ! How Ihockrr.g would the 
fuggeilicn have b^^en, if God had not made it ? But, be- 
hold hereby infinite wildom haih difcovered a way to 
gratify both juftice and mercy, to punifh fin, and yet 
pardon the finner; to maintain the honour ot the law- 
maker, and yet preferve the life of the law-breaker: . 
Hereby mercy is fatisfied in fparing the rebel, and yet ^ 
juftice more glorified, and fin rendered more odi- 
ous, than if the finner himfelf had been eterpally dam- 
ned for it.- Nay, though all the men on earth .had been 
caft into hell fire for fin, and the angels with them, it 
had been no fuch inftance of juftice^ as Chrid'^ V^V.t«.4- 
ing and nymg for fin ; For v^hat is t\\e ijMTv\&i\tv'^Qi ct^-^- 
turesj tathe fuffcringof the CieatoiV 
J. Thh blood being the blood o£ GoA^\\^^^^'^^^^'^'^'^ 



66 SACRAMENTAL 

virtue and efficacy; it hath puichafed the Church of God, 
and all grace and glory to her, Afts xx. 28. it protects all 
who come under the covert of it from the wrath of God , 
Exod. xii. 13. Jf^l>m I fee. the bloody Iwill pajs over you, 
and the plague /hall not be upon you to defiroy you^ tvhen I 
/mite the land of Eygpt, — This bloody which is the price 
of our redemption, hath marvellous effefls; it pleads for 
the guilty, and obtains pardon of (in, peace with. God» 
nearnefs to and communion with him. It cleanfes, 
heals^fatisfies, and beautifies perifhing fouls; itfeals the 
New Teilament, overcomes our eneimes, liberates the 
prifoners, opens heaven's gates, and gives boldnefs to en« 
ter in: I'he perfon of our Redeemer being preferable to 
a million of worlds full of men and angelsi his blood a- 
lone might well ferve for an eledl world. What fins can 
be fo heinous or fo numerous but the blood of God can 
wa(h away! This was famous Cranmer'afupport that day 
he fufieied martyrdom; when his heinous Gji of renoun- 
cing the truth flared him in the face, and he was sreatlf 
dcjeftod for it ; he brake out, Surely God was madejlejo^ 
andjhed his bloody not for lejfer fins only^ but for great Jins 
alfo : This relieved him and made him die with courage. 
This blood can help in all (traits, deliver from all fears, 
and is able to fave to the uttermoft. It hath favcd ma- 
ny who have condemned themfelves, and thought their . 
falvation impoffible. It hath eafed many confcienceSf 
when the teuors of rhe Almighty have furjounded them, 
and his arrows have (luck fait in them. It hath unlling-r 
ed dcatli, and carried many through its darkeft valleys. 
This blood hath cleanfed many whofe hearts were filthy 
as the mire, and whofe lives fwarmed with the mod a- 
bominable lulls, fuch as the Corinthians, i Cor. vi. ii. 
and three thoufand of ihofe who bad embrued their 
hands in (bedding of it, Adls ii. 36. Nay, it is able to 
take away the fins of a world, John i. 29. and much 
more the fins of any one foul, though like a mountain 
for weight, or the fand fqr number. 
-^. I /ce this redeeming blood to be a fuitable remedy 
/or all my maladies : O that 1 couVA \oo^sL to '\t>a^ I^njlV^ 
^/^P^/ It to rny {ores, and plead it NiruVi Goi •. ^ Uix^^V 



MEDITATIONS. 67 

< am an unrighteous creature, but here is juftifying 
•blood ; my heart is unholy, but here is fanftifying 

< blood T niy foul is wounded, but here is healing blood; 

< my lufts arc ftrong, but here is mortifying blood ; my 

< heart is hard, but here is foftning blood ; my aiFediions 

< are dead, but here is quickening blood ; my love 16 

* cold, but here is heart-warming blood — When I am 

< at the holy table, I am near this blefled remedy : O 
' let me not mifs a cure when the Balm of Gilead is a- 

* mong my hands ; let me not perifh in my guilt befide 

* the open fountain. Oh, this blood hath healed thou- 

< fands, and (hall I remain under my plagues ? — Lord, 

* let that innocent blood, which runs from thy hands, 

* heart, and (ide, drop on my guilty foul, and cleanfe me 
« from all fin. O my glorious bleeding Lamb, if thou 
' wiit thou canft make me clean. O fay to me, as thou'didft 

< to the leper, / ivilly be thou clean. Surely thy blood is 

* more able to fave me, than my (ins are to deflroy me.' 

5. How juft is it that I (hould commemorate the (bed- 
ding of this blood in the way thatChrid appoints? Lord, 
help mc to go to thy table, and realize the (bedding of 
this blood to myfelf, as much as if 1 had (loodby the 
crofs, and feen it with my eyes flowing from his wounds. 
Let my faith be the evidence of things not feen, and let 
it realize the (bedding of Chrift's blood as evidently to 
me as if I had a£^ually feen it. Ah, 1 cannot fay it is io^ 
while my eyes are fo dry, and my heart fo hard ; alas 
for my ftupid unconcerned heart, that doth not burft in- . 
to love and tears at the facramental view of this bood« 
Ihedding ! How can I fee thefe hands, that fway the 
fceptre of the heavens, nailed to the tree of reproach, 
and not mourn ? How can I fee thefe feet, that trample 
on the powers of hell, nailed to a tree, and not weep ? 

^ Did the earth tremble, rocks rend, fun hide, and hea- 
vens darken, and will not my rocky heart rend for (in 
thsft caufed all ? — Since thou, Lord, comeft to me, in 
dreams of blood, let me go forth and meet thee ^vtVv 
ftreams of tears.— Oh ! (hall I be mote l^wxv^^S. tk^ 
tears for Cbriii, than he was of his \)\oo^ ir^t xiv^X V:*^^ 

I fee thJsprecioug Wood run down \iv &\^^wv^^ '•s^^^ 



/ 



^o SACR AME-NTAL 

nicrs to the ^arth, fometim^s with cold winds and 
pcfts, thunders and lightnings, and at other times 
xialmncfs and warmth: So Chrift comes to finncrs, : 
times with (h^rp conviftions and legal terrors, and 
times with alltirin^ invitations and ptomifes. 5. C 
pleafant are the effefts of rain to languifhing plar 
make them green and beautiful, lively and (Irong, 
rant and fruitful? So the efFefts of Chrift's influenc 
moft defirable to drooping fouls, for enlightening ai 
livening them, for confirming and ftrengthening \ 
for comforting and enlarging them, for appetifinj 
fatisfying them, transforming and beautifying then 
(hower from Chriift would foon make the chutch 
.withered, turn green and beautiful, -and to fend ft 
fmell as of a field that the Lord hath blefTed; and 
wife feme drops of this (hoWer, falling down upo 
languifhing graces of communicants, would foon 
them vigorous and lively in (hewing forth their Sav 
death at his table. 

Here I may fee the reafon why many fouls con 
as dry ground in their parched natural condition, 
others near them are flourifhing and fruitful ; CI 
(hower hath conie down upon the one, and not upo 
other; one piece is rained upon,and another piece i 
and withered, according to that word in Amos iv. 
Oh, what caufe is there to bewail the evident fymp 
of this continuing natural drought in multitudes of I 
,Wby? their hearts are hard, impenetrable, and -una 
ed with the miferable flate they are in by nature 
with the woful plagues of their hearts. They ha^ 
fenfe or feeling of the evil of fin, notwithftanding 
the reproofs and threatnings of the word, or the 
and flrckcs it brings upon them ; or of the fufFerin 
Chrift for fin. And though God affures them, thi 
end of dry ground is curfing and burning, they ar< 
penitent and unconcerned under all. — O if parched 
in their natural eftate were madfe fenfible of theij 
/er/, and'^brought to bewail thdx c^fe^ and fay, * i 
' am as the heath in the dciart that fet^ tio xivcvx 
' a dry tree ; if 1 continue in tVvs ft.at« A'^^^^ ^^' 
^s cumbring the ground, and m^Ax. i\x€Vx^\v^Vi 



MEDITATIONS. 71 

< fee the ax of jufticc laid to my root, every hour I am ia 

* danger of the blow. O if Chrift would interpofe. to 

* fpare ipe, and come down, upon me as the raini and 
*■ bring the moifture of grace into^my foul.' 

How lamentable alfo is the. cafe of thofe who once 
leemcd to be watered by this heavenly rain, and now arc 
parched by a long confuming drought and withering 
ivind ! They, have loH their former greennefs and n^oif- 
ture, their fpirituality and livelinefe^ and their duties 
life quite dwindled away into alifelefs carcafe and a dead 
formality. They have loft their wonted freedom and 
<nl{urgement in prayer) and are fallen under fad bonds 
a^d nraitnings of fpirit^ which make them count holy 
things a wearinefsi and frequently negleft fecret pray- 
er* Surely fuch have great need of Chrift coming 
down upon them as the rain, to make them fpring up as 
the grafs, and revive as the corn. — Alas we have a fin« 
fttl^hand in bringing on fuch a fpiritual drought, by 
quenching the motions of the Spirft^ indulging fleflily 
luftS) giving the world Chrift's room in the heart, and 
negledting tb live by faith on the Son of God, who is 
the rain and dew of Ifrael. 

How happy are thofe who live under the droppings 
of this rain! They arelike trees planted by the waters, their 
roots fpread forth, and th^ir leaves are greeo, Jer. xvii. 
8« Have I the figns of fuch perfons ? « Is my heart rea- 

• dy to melt at the (ight of a crucified JeTus fet before 

• me in the facrament? Do i mourn for my fine that 

• pierced himr Am I ready to think wcrfe of myfelf 
« than any other perfon can ? is my heart foft and pliabla 
« to the will of God, both in his precepts and provi- 

• dences? Do the world's good tilings bulk but little in 
« my eye? Is it my defire to meet with Chrilt in every 

• duty and ordinance? Do I (till look on fm as Ch rift's 

• enemy? Am I afraid of provoking him by fin to with- 
< hold the (bowers, and make the heavens as brafs to 
« m_e ? Am I defirous to bring forth fruit anfwerable 

• to the waterings he gracioully allows u\^V O Tora^^V 
£nd thefc marks ia my fo^U 

O tbdt I could earncftly plead ioi x\v^ ^mX^^Sx'cv^ ^^ ^ 
F z 



72 SACRAMENTAL 

pronufe in the text, that Chrift would come ^own as the 
rain, that he would fcrid the fhowcrs he hath merited 
and protfiifed, fend them to myfclf, to the church, and 
, to the whole land; to the prefent age, and to the rifing 
generation! O what glorious efFe<fls would thefc (how* 
cr« produce! They uould beautify the church and her 
afTemblief, make both minders and profeflbrs to (hinc 
in hclinefs, and congregations to be lively in wor(hip. 
They would open prifon doors, loofe bonds, enlarge 
heartF, revive drooping fduls, turn their water into wine, 
their forrow into joy, their complaints into praifes, and 
make them fing in the ways of the Lord. — By thcfe 
ftiowcrs God would be glorified, the church cemented, 
and her diftempers heakd. — Ordinances would be fuc- 
cefsful, communions noore pleafant, the godly motcva- 
lued, religion more efteemed,and the way tp heaven more ^ 
delightful. — Lord, look on the dry ground and prefent 
droughty feafon with pity, open the windowsof heaven, 
and fend down {bowers as in former times, and as in o- 
thcr parts of the .world. Send afhower to young com- 
municants, and to thofe who have not feen thy goings 
in the fanftuary; a fhower to flony hearts and withered 
hands, a (hower to foften the clods, loofe the roots^ 
and open the fprings. O how much good would one 
of Chrift's (bowers do to a poor dry land! what won- 
ders would it work! what prilbners would it loofe i what 
cloudy minds wouid it brighten, and whatdoubting fouls 
would it refolvel Come down Lord Jefus. Amen. 

MEDITATION XVllL ' 

From Mat. viii. 8. 
Lorti, lam not worthy that thou /houidji come under my rooj. 

FAITH and repentance do Rill go together ; every 
believer is a true penitent; He that puts. on the 
Lord Jefus, is alfo clothed with humility. The high- 
er thoughts a man hath of Chrilt, the lower thoughts 
will he have of himfelf. When the man's eyes arc o- 
/yef7 to fee the hoUncfs and excelkncy of Chrift, he is 
J77^de to own his own nothingnefs \>doTtVv\m^^xv^\i\^ 
M'nSnite dlflance horn him, and to la^, \\Ve Ocv^ C^v^txx- 
fonj'n the text, lam tjot ivcrthy that tfcou j/aould come 



MEDITATION:S/ 73 

under my roof^ q. d* It is too great an honour (or fuch 
a guilty and filthy creature to entertain a Saviour of 
infinite purity J my heart is more unworthy than my 
houfci I hjive nothing to commend me to thee. — The 
lowly foul abhors himfelf as vile in the fight of a holy 
God ; he fays, I am all as an unclean thing, and all 
mf righteoufnefs is as filthy rags ; in me dwells no 
good thing ; I am infufficient of myfelf to do any tiling 
that is good, or even to think a good thoiight : It is 
God that mud worfc in me, both to will and to do, of 
his good pleafure. He is under no obligation to pity or 
h^lp me» it will be abfolute free mercy tn htm if he 
da it. The lowly man hath under-valuing thoughts 
of himfelf, and of all his owi^ doings and attainments : 
He renounceth all confidence in his own righteoufnefs 
' and humbly fubmits to the righteoufnefs of God by 
faith : He is content to be Uript of all his own garment^, . 
that Chrift may be hi^ clothing* He looks not to his 
own performances to recommend him to God^ but 
only to Chrift his furety. He is viHing to go out of 
bimfelfy and live wholly upon borrowed righteoufnefs 
and borrowed ftrength, even to live upon Chrift cruci- 
fied, and to derive daily and hourly from him ftrength, 
both for duty and diffitulty^ for work and warfare — 
The man that is lowly in heart ^fubmits to the will of God 
in all his difpcnfations, is content with every condition 
he thinks beft for him \ he is patient in affliflion^ and 
fitent under God's rod without aafwering again. He 
is fenfible that he juftly deferveth hell, and therefore 
is very thankful for theleaft mercy; like the woman of 
Canaan, he owns himfelf unworthy as a dog, and will . 
be thankful for crumbs that fall from tlie -children's 
table. He will be thankful for a word from Chrift^ . 
for a look, for a fmiie, for the leaft token of his favour^ 
or the fmalleft influence of his fpirit. 

Wherever faith is in exercife, it is a foul-humbling 

and felf-emptylng grace, and lays the fo>A NC't^\v9i\^^« 

fore Godi aad God always hath te{f e& to Va^ivJ^% 

Md to fuch ioirJincfs, Pfal. cxxxv\\\. 6-- Cto\^ ^^^ 

gr^t refpea upon the lowly Ccut\xi'\oiv^ n. ^o.^-i* 



74 SACRAMENTAL 

hav€ not fiund fq great faith y no^ not in Ifrael\ go thy wajf 
end as tbou haft beiieved^fo he it done unto thee. He a]fo 
put great rcfpe^l upon the humble publican, Luke xviii, 
13. 14. and declared him juftified; for (faith he } be that 
humbUtb him/elf /hall be exalted. He put great honour 
upon the humble woman of Canaan, that owned her- 
felf vile as a dog/- Mat. xv. 27. 28. O wotnan^ g^^^ i^ 
thj faith ^ ,faid he) he it unto thee rottk as thou wilt. And 
faith of himfelf. If* Ivii. 15. though he be the high and 
lefty one that inbabiteth eternity ^ yet he dwelleth nvitb the 
humble spirit .' And thus he fets himfelf before us, as the 
great pattern of humility, and bids us learn it of him. 
When he appeared unto Mofes, it was not in a lofty 
cedar, but in alow, mean, humble bufli.. And when he 
^R'ould appear in our natures it was not a great exalted 
woman he takes up with, but a low humble virgin, as 
Mary herfelf obferves, Luke i. 48^ 52*. May I be help- 
ed then to appear before him at his holy table, with a. 
humble fpirit, and lowly frame, that he may vouchfafe 
to dwell and hold communion wirh me ! 

O that I had the marks of s^ lowly heartj and could 
fay, that 1 blufh, and «m aOiamed before God in pray- 
er, becaufe of my fmfulneu and pollution ! that I am 
made to worderat free grace in fpaiing fuch a vile un- 
thankful wretch, in keeping me cut of hell, in ojQFering 
me Chrift ard pardon through his blood, and calling me 
to his table. — That I difclaim all rightcoufnefs by the 
law, and expefl nothing but wrath and ruin from that 
airth; that I look only to Chriil, ar.d have admiring 
thoughts of him and his law-biiling righteoufncfs. That 
I have a dtep (enfe cf indwelling fin, and ofthe corrup- 
tions of my heart, and think more meanly of myfelf than 
any other perfon can. — ^That I am jealous of my wick^ 
ed heart, and afraid leil I betray or wound the Son of 
God, and ccntraft blood-guiltinefs ; and therefore I 
adventure to his table with much fear and trembling. 
Lord, beflow upon me fuch a humble heart. 
O czn Ifuch an ill-deferving cicatuie ^^^^vc Virfote 
Godf and cxpcd mercy, who hat\\ fo \oi\^ ^Wlt^Tc«x- 



MEDITATIONS- 75 

rod of thy juftice, juftly da(h me in pieces as a^pottert 
vcffel. Inllead of entertairung me with the bread of 
life, and the cup of bleffing, thou mightell give/ne the 
bread and water of affliction; yea, call m^ ii'.tj thac pit^ 
where I fhould cry in vain for a drop of a aier to cool 
WJ tongue. O ihaH fuch a wretched dog as I am pre- 
fume to come to- thy table, and fat of the children'^ 
bread, who am not worthy to gather the crumbs that 
fall from it! But I have heard of the mercy of the King 
of Ifracl, that he delights to (hew it to the unworthy 
that humble themfelves before him. Oh, I am vile and 
unfit to appear before thee: but, furely they are undone 
that keep away fromthee. I am come to thee not be- 
eaufe I am fit or worthy, but becaufc thou art rich in 
mercy, and haft contrived a way for faving rhe like of 
me. — l^ordv I am not worthy to conrie within fight of 
thee, but far lefiTthat thou ihouldft come under my roof 
to lodge with me! WlllGoJin very deed con^o. 7X1x6. dwell 
ivithmen! This is awonder, though all men were as 
innocent and righteous as once Adam^was! But will he 
lodge or feall with me that am a leper? Will he come 
under the roof of my. foul, a.houfe fo ruinous, fmoky 
and defiled, where he has not a fit place to lay his headP 
. But, O jay humble,, condefceuding Saviour,, did not 
difdain to lie in a.manger among beafts, nor to dine 
with Simon a feper ! O Lord Jelus, come in thyfelf 
and furniih the houfe, prepare an upper room in my 
foul,iargef fwept and garnifhed, and there abide, and 
keep the paffover with me..' 

Lord>,i am not worthy to eat the crumbs that fall 
" from my awn table^ much lefs thofe that fall from thine,: 
l.deferve not a room to ftand among thy fervants, far 
lefs to fit down with thy children. I am unworthy of 
my. daily bread from thee, and .(hall I be allowed to 
cat of the bread of life ? Shall I, who defervc. not the 
bread of men, be admitted to eat the bread of angels ? 
Shall I fit down with him, at whofe feet they fill \ \^ 
John the Baptift (one of the gteaieVV 0\3^x. v^-a.'?* \i^xw ^\ 
wome^, wlio Va» filled with the Hvi\>i 0\v:>^ lt.«a^- ^ 



76 SACRAMENTAL 

tranrgreflbr from the womb, to be admitted to tottchf . 
nay feed upon Chrid's broken bod^ and (bed blood ? 
If Peter, after feeing Chrift's glory, ^d hi$ own vilc- 
nefs, judged himfelf unworthy to be in the fame fiiip 
with Chrift, and cried, depaittfrom me^fir Jam afirftd 
man: How ihall Ij the chief of finners, adventure to 
fit down at the fame table with him in % familiar way F 
If the woman with the bloody iffue was afraid to come 
and touch the hem of Chrifl's garment, how oiuch 
more may I, who am full of the running iifuea of fin 
fear to touch the fymbols of hi& body and bloody or put 
my hand into his fide ? Uthe pureft angelsjnuA eoTer - 
their faces when before him, how fhail If whp am fo 
impure, appear openly in bis prefence ? But glory to 
God for the blefled covering provided for my guilty 
foul, under which I may appear and be accepted, t 
come to thee wrapt in it,.Lor4» accept of m/s* 

O how diftinguifhing are thy favours to me anan-^ 
worthy creature I Thou mighteft juftly have put in ray 
hand a cup of trembling and unmixed. wrath, a cup. 
filled with horror of confcience and fearful defpair : 
But, inftead thereof, thou giyeft me the cup of blefling, 
. filled with the hope of pardon, and eternal life. I 
might have been in hell, drinking the damned's cup of 
wrath, into which juftiee is dill pouring in as faft they 
drink out: But^ glory tq free grace, thou calleft me to 
drink the cup of falvation, which my Saviour hath 
purchafed with his blood, ^nd fweetened with his.blcf- 
fing. Thanks be to God for it for ever* . 

MEDITATION XIX. 

From 2 Cor. ix. 15. 
Thanks be unto God for his unfpeakable gift, 

MANY give thanks to God for meat ^d drink to 
their Dodies, which indeed is the duty of all f 
but alas ! few give thanks to God for Jefus,Chrift> th^ 
onJjr food of precious fouls, and God'^ \iu{\^eikable gift 
to men! Many arc fond of tempoiaX ^\lx^ >tv^ «%:^tCi^ 
ricAcs^ which are nothing but ywVt^ ^ W ^\ xivR^ ^\^ 



MEDITATIONS. 77 

cafy about this pearl of great price; this matchlefs gift, 
whofe value no tongue can exprefs, nor open- up what 
is tontained in it. The Apoftle tells us a great truths 
Eph. i. '^. that God blejfes us luiih all fpiritual bUJJlags in 
Chfifi. In this gift of God we have innumerable gifts ^ 
beftowed on thofe who believe oa him, fuch as the 
gifts of fpiritual illumination, pardon of (in, a law<» 
biding fighteoufnefs, reconciliation with God, adoption 
int6 his family, redorlng of his image, fan£lifying in- 
fluences, fpiritual ftrength for work and warefare, 
loofing of bonds, witaeflings of the Spirit, unftinging 
of death, conduct through the dark valley, and a tifle 
to the manfions of glory, and the eternal enjoyment of 
God. Chrift is the moll neceflary and moit enriching 
gift ever was given to t|y world. ^ God gave him to 
be a plank of mercy, to fave our fouls when (hip- 
'.vrecked. He gave him to be our phyfician and balm, 
to heal us wh^n our wounds feemed incurable. He 
gave him to be the Lord our Right eoufnefs^ when we had 
no rigliteoufnefs. He gave him to be our Advocate to 
plead for us, when we had many^accufers, and non6 to 
take our part. He gave him to us to be nvlfdom^ 
>righieoufneJs^ fanBificntioriy and redemption. In this gift 
there is infinite fulnefs, and unfearchable riches. . Well 
may the Spoufe call Chrilt a bundle of myrh^ and a 
clujler of camphire^ Cant. i. 13. 14. btfcaule fo many 
gifts and-'blelRngs are bundled up in this one gift. Oh, 
what can 1 conceive, or what can I exprefs of this gift! 
He that would defcribe or fpeak of this gift, would 
need to have his tongue dipt in heaven. — Should an 
angel come down from it to tell us of this gift, he 
would outfpeak all the men on earth ; yet when he had 
faid all he coulJ, the gift would be far above his ex- 
prcflion : Why ? becaule he is unfpeakable. 

Thanks be unto God that gave us not. a fervant, not 
an angel, not a friend, but his Son. Not an adopted 
^yi, but his own 5on by eternal generatiun ; a Son 
wno is the b right nefs of his Father s gtor^^ o,r!t the ex^teji. 
ima^^e cf /jts ^er/o/i. Yea, he gave us t\\?i o^M '^^^'^^ "^^ 



78 SACREMENTAL " 

bewail the parting with one fon, when he had eleven^ 
behind ? But God gave hia only begotten, Son» and the 
Son of his love for us ! It is recorded as an adaiirablQ 
inftance of Abraham's obedience, that he was willing 
to part with his only foh at God's command. Gea. 
xxii. 12. Now I know that thou feareJlGodf feeing thou 
haft not withheld thy/on^ thine only, fon^from- tne^ But 
what was Abraham's fon to God's eternal Son, the 
fecond perfon of the glorious Trinity \ a Son tbaA waft 
his'equtil ! a Son in whoqi his foul delighted ! a Son that 
never difpleafed him at any time ! How bitterly .^id 
David mourn at parting with a TebaIlio^s fon ! O.Abfa' 
hruj tnyfoHy my fon j would to Godlhaddiidfir thee, (fc^ 
But what are all the fons of men, or ten thoufand worlds 
full of mentor as many heaves full of angels^ to the be- 
loved Son of God, whom all the angels worihip and ft- 
dore ! And yet this is the gift that God givea us^ In 
giving this gift, divine bounty hath ilretchedi itfelf to 
the uttermoft : He could have created a million of hie^- 
Yens more bright, and millions of angels more glorious 
for us 'j but a more glorious Son be had not, nor could 
have ; a greater gift he had not in all his treafures, 
than hbown co-eternal and cpn-fubftantial Son, yet he 
makes a free gift of him to us! Who would not give 
thanks unto God for this his unfpeakable gift? And who 
would not part with all the world to have an intreft in 
this gift fealed to him at the Lord's table I — This is the 
gift that fweetens all other gifts, and without which 
nothing in a world hath any fweetnefs in it. 

This gift of God is moil free \ it was impoi&ble that 
the world could have Chrilt any other way than as a 
free gift. A man like old Jacob may be bereaved of 
his children, but it was not poilible that God could be 
bereaved of his dear Son. Neither could we have him 
by purchafc ; we were fo poor, we had not wherewith 
^to purchafe the leail blefTing. And what though all 
the riches of the world had been ours, though all its 
njountawB hsid been gold, pearls, or diamonds^ they 
urould not have been fufficicnt to puicYi^fe ot^c ^^Kt^ 
o£ this gift, far IcCs a right to it. Uoi co^V^ ^n^x %\i^ 



MEDITATIONS. 79 

motive he found out for beftowing this gift, but the 
mere free \ov6 of God, John iii. 16. God/o loved the 
nvorid^ that he gave his only begotten Son : As if he had 
faid, finde the world hath no merit, nor price, worth, 
nor motiye, to obtain, this bleffing, I juft make a free 
gift of him t6 the world : Take hini freely, poor 
beggars of Adam's family; take him, and he will en- 
rich you all ! And O how feafonably and unexpedled- 
ly was this gift given ? Adam, when he came trembling 
before God after his fall, looking for his final doom, 
did little expeA fuch a gift, until God himfelf, to the 
aftonifliment of angels and men, promifed the fe^^d of 
the woman. Who could have thought that the great 
-God -would have gifted his dear Son to fuch vile wretch. 
ei, finners that were not feeking him ? Nay, who of 
mankind could have defired fuch a gift ? Indeed, when 
-weliad been perifliing, we might hive looked *up, and 
cried, O God have mercy upon us : But who would 
.have faid, O give the Son of thy love to bear the wrath 
4ue to lis I We neither deferved, nor defired this gift, 
•but God gave it mod freely and furprifingly I W hen 
Adam bircke God's covenant, he was purfued with a 
very, Adam ^tvhere art thou? Douhtlefs, Adam expelled 
a terrible blow from the fword of juitice: but, behold, 
-he is purfued with a cry, and the unfpeakable gift in 
the crier's hand I O how furprifmg was this to poor^ 
trembling, guilty Adam I What caufe had he to cry. 
Thanks be unto God for his unfpeakable gift ! Whatjhall I 
render to the Lord for fuch a gift ? And tl>e fame caufe 
have we. • ^ 

O wonderful love ! this free gift is "oflFered freely to 
the pooreft creature of Adam's family \ fo that fuch an 
one as I, am warranted to accept and embrace it, and 
make fure my intereft in it; Lord^ I believe ^ help thou 
my unbelief Many covet other gifts, but I covet this 
bed gift, this enriching gift ; this is a lawful covetouf- 
Hefs : I receive this gift of God into my bofom, into 
xtj very heart. O that I had the ma.tV% ol ^<ci^'^ Hi\vs^ 
poffcfa thie gift, and are truly tth?LulLt\x\ lox \v\ ^-^vx^"^ 
6/; thzt this gift is truly precious \u m^ e.^jts^'aJ^^^^ 



.«o SACRAMENTAL 

I cftcem it far above all temporal gifts whatfocrcr : That 
I am oft thinking upon hi^ matchlefs excellency, his 
low {loop and condefcending love ; and do I frequent- 
ly break out with the Pfalmifl, Whom have I in heaven 
but thee / and there is none upon earth I defire befides thee. 
—Have- 1 low thoughts of myfelf, 39 unworthy that 
Chrift (hould come under my roof, reckoning myfelf 
with Paul, the leaji of all faints and chief of finners ^ Do 
I renounce all Chrift*s rivals and competitors, fuch as 
my beloved* lufls, and beloved righteoufnefs ? Do I 
count all my doings and duties but lofs anddung^for the 
righteoufnefs of Chrift ? Do I take the crown o0^ every 
head, and put it upon Chrifl's head, and give him all 
the glory of my falvatipn, and fay, that in the Lord Je-^ 

- fus only have I righteoufitefs and Jlrength? Am I careful 
to avoid every thing that would diihonour Chrift ? and 
do I fay to every temptation that cffers, Honv fhall Ido 
this wiekednefs and /in againfl God^ or bring a reproach 
upon Chrift aifd his ways? Do I rejoice when Chrift 
is honoured, his throne raifed, his glory advanced, and 
his fubjedls increafed ; and when (Irangers and young 
ones are drawn to love and admire him ? Am I often fay- 
ing, What JJj all I render to the Lord for his unfpeakablegift? 
I am at a lofs how to exprcfs my thankfulnefs : I have 
nothing to give him ; but Til render all 1 have to him, 
my foul, my body, my love, my praifes, my time, my 
talents, my walk and converfation. Lord, accept of my 
two poor mites, foul and body, in token of my gratitude 
for God's redeeming love and free gift ; ^nd make me fit 
for givi;:g thee thanks eternally for this unfpeakable gift: 
O ! that i could apply ihefe bleffed marks to niyfelf ! 

And O what thanks do 1 owe my dear Saviour, that 
fubmitt.'d willingly to be heaven's gift to the children 
of men ; yea, frankly oiFered, and gave himfelf to be a 
facrifice for them, to drink of* the brook in the way, 
even the cup of God's wrath, that we might drink the 
cup of God's bleihng ! O how low was our fall, that 
nothing could xlit us up again but the low abafement 
of the Son of God ! "^nd U how \q>w 'wa* \Jcvt. We.'^ 

^3t he behoved to make to lecov^i u%\ T\v^ ^^xw o^ 



MEDITATIONS. 8i 

God muft be tread upon as a worm ! The Almighty 
Phyfici^n mud come from heaven, and let his heart Ke 
pierced, to prepare a medicine to cure our difeafe ! He 
that thought it no robbery to be equal with God^ muft be 
made equal to robbers and murderers I He muft not 
only fuffer death, but defertion alfo> from Qod, from 
man and the whole creation! He gave himfef not^ 
only to fufFer the pangs of de^th, but the pains of hell ; 
not.onlythe forrows of dying men, but the forrows of 
damned fouU ! O unfpeakable gift ! 

~ MEDITATION XX. 

Vxom Lfuke ix. 22. 
The Son of Man mujlfuffer mam things, 

OUR Lord oft fpoke of his fufFerings to his difcipleg, 
becaufe he would l^ave them deeply imprinted 
upon the hearts of all his people, that they might al- 
ways think upon them, and carry about with them the 
dying of the Lord Jefus. As Chrift foretold hifj fufFer- 
ings before-hand, lo they came exadtly to pafs. He 
faid he muA/uJ^r many things for his people, and ac- 
cordingly he did fo : Let me view his fufFerings before 
I go to commemorate them at his table. 

i^ I muft confider him that fuiFered many things for 
us ; the Spirit of God requires us to confider the High 
Prieft, who he is, Heb. iii. i. Though he calls him- 
fclf in the text the Son of Man, as to his human na- 
ture; yet he is alfo the Son of God, as to his divine na- 
ture J yea, God equal with the Father, the great God 
our Saviour : This God-man, the WONDERFUL, is 
Quf High Prieft, that fuiFered many things for us. He 
is our glorious Emmanuel, the innocent and immaculate 
Lamb of God, that had not the leaft fpot or crime of 
his own to fuffer for. — He is the brightnefs of his Fa- 
ther's glory, the exprefs image of his perfon; he is the 
King of kings, and Lord of lords. He that fufFered is 
he that went about always doing good to ^^\lo\v^ ^\. 
aii forts, and deferved well of thbCe wVvo ^eil^CMX&^-wx^ 
{^ruciSedbim. ^H^U the great lovet ot mwC^Tx^% ^»»5 

G 



82 SACRAMENTAL 

friend of (inners; our glorious bencfaftor, who rcmcm 
bered us in our low eftate ; one that comes under th< 
moft endearing charafters to us, as that of oiir father 
our hufband, our brother, mafter, phyfician; ranfomer 
&c. Now, will not a fon be fcnfible of the fufFerings o 
his father, or a wife of the fufFerings of her hufband t 
Or one brother be touched with ihe fufFerings of ano- 
ther ? This is the great High Prieft that fuffercd man) 
-things for us. 

2. I am toconfiderthe manythingsh^^MStit^, Ah, 
they are fo great, fo various, and manifold, I cannot re- 
count nor comprehend them ! I may fay, he fuffered in 
both natures: Though his Godhead could not proper- 
ly fufFer grief or pain, yet it fuffered an eclipfe for 33 
years, except a fhort time it fhone forth on Mount Ta- 
bor. — HefufFered many things in his human nature, both 
in foul and body^ he was perfecuted, tempted, calum- 
niated, betrayed, bound, mocked, fpit oq, buffeted, 
fcourged, wounded, crowned with thorns, and crucified. 
' —He fuffered in all his offices, he was mocked as a 
Prophet, and bid prophefy who fmote him; as a Prieft, 
he was bid fave himfelf, feeing he pretended to fave o- 
thers \ as a King, he was mocked with an old purple 
robe and thorny crown. — He fuffered in his honour and 
reputation, being difgraced and reproached by men, call- 
ed a Samaritan, one poffeffed of the devil, a blafphemer, 
a glutton, a drunkard, a feducer, &c. He was even o- 
verwhelmed with calumny. — He fuffered as a blafphe- 
mer againfl God, as a traitor to Caefar, and an enemy 
to Mofes's law, though he was entirely free of them all. 
•v-He was wounded and pierced in all parts of his body, 
in his head, hands, and feet; in his cheeks, back, and 
fide. — He fuffered in his outward goods, being fpoiled 
of all things, and even flript of his clothes to his very 
Ikin, and nailed to the crofs naked,— He fuffered in all 
his five fenfcs; his fight, with the fpiteful carriage of 
thoit ?»hat paffed by, wagging their heads; his hearing, 
with their bMphemous ta\ks Vv\s tmell, with the noi- 
fome favour of. the f culls of tVve de^^d-, Yd^V?L^t, VvCtvNTv. 
Jnegar and gall^ his feeling, w'ltlv x\\otM wvd. xwivX^ v«« 



MEDITATION'S. 85 

cing his head, hands, and feet. He fufFered in the mod 
ttjnder and (inewy parts of his body by the tormenting 
nails, efpecially being violently ftretched out, and pro- 
bably disjointed, to make them reach to the holes j there- 
fore he faith, Pfal. xxii. 16. 17. They have digged m^ 
hands an^myfeet^ I may Ull all my hones ^ they look andjtare 
upon me, — He fufFered mofl of all in his foul, and its 
Doble faculties : How great was the agony and travail 
of his foul, when he fwate blood in the garden through 
all the pores of ais body! O how great was the anguifti 
of his mind upon his heavenly Father's deferting him, 
which made bim fend forth a dreadful cry to heaven for 
relief, Aly God, my God, why hajl thouforfaken me f Then 
it was he cried and groaned under his prefTure, but 
no relief appeared J there was none to anfwer, every door 
was (hut againft him : For at this time his own fun, hia 
own heaven, his own Father, his own Godhead, did all 
hide their faces and confolations from him ! O the man/ 
things he fuffered for us, they cannot be numbered! 

3. I am to confider from whom the Son of Man fuf- 
fered. He fufFered from all hands, from earth, from 
hell, from heaven •, from men, from devils, from infinite 
juftice. He fuffered from all forts of men, from king^ 
Herod and his men of war, who mocked him and fet* 
him at nought; from the Jewifh Prieilsand rulers, who 
cruelly ufed and profeute him to death ; from gover- 
nor Pilate, who fcourged and condemned him to be 
crucified; He fufFered from the Jews and from the Ro- 
mans, from the clergy and from the lawyers, fromfol* 
diers and fervants, from great ones and commons, and 
even from thefc he had done much good unto — He 
fufFsred from thefe whom he came to fave and wafli by 
his blood; for there were three thoufand of thefe who 
crucified him, or were ad^ive in his fufFerings, that were 
converted to him by Peter's fermon, Arts ii. He fuffer- 
ed not only from enemies, but from profefFed friends 
and difciplcs ; oue of thele betrayed and fold him, an- 
other of them denied and abjured h\ra> ^ktvti -AX >^wi ^^^ 
forfook him,- and icft hinn alone to iufi^t m \^t.Ta\^^ 

of devils and ruffians infultins ovei VvVvu ^^^ ^51^-^^^ 

G i 



84 SACRAMENTAL 

from devils, and all the powers of hell — thefe dogs and 
hulls cf Ba/han were all let loofe to tear and gore him if 
bio laft fufferirgs; for this (he faid) was their ^^wr and 
power cf darhnefs, — But, which was word of all, he 
fufFered alfo from heaven •, for he being fubftitu- 
tt^ in the room* of (inners, a juft and holy God 
afted as an inexorable Judge towards him, he 
frowned terribly upon him, fmote him with the 
fword of juftice, and withdrew all |he feeling of 
his loving kirdnefs from him, and all thefe divine in- 
fluences \s bich rrj'ght any way rrfrefti his troubled foul 
in the hour of his greateft need : And thus he fell a 
facrifice to incenfed jufiice for our heinous guilt and 
provocations. At this time a fearful black cloud was 
fprlad ever the glorious Sun of Righteoufnefs, never 
was there any fuch eciipfe feen or heaVd of as this ! 
For « candie to be put out is no great matter, but for 
the fun to be darkened is very uncommon: But though 
fun, moon,' and liars had all been blown out at once, 
it would be no ways fo amazing as the darkening of 
the eternal Sun of Righteoufnefs upon the crofs I A 
firange and marvellous fight ! What meant j^he heat of 
this great anger? Muft even the Creator himfelf fuflfer 
for the creature's fins ? Muft he fufFer fuch 2 load of 
wrath, as make him cry out to the aftpnifhment of an- 
gels and men ? 

4. I ato to confider the High Prieft, and for whom 
it was he fufFered thefe great and many things. He 
fuffered not for himfelf, for he nevcF offended either 
againil God or man, and deferved no punifhment. He 
lufFered none for fallen angels ; they mud all fuffer for 
themfelve.- : Ic was only for men of Adam's race, tl at 
were debtors to juftice and prifoners of wrath j he fuf- 
fered for creatures moft undeferving, for rebels, and 
for many that; were his greateft enemies j and even for 
thofe who were his murderers and executioners, for he 
both prayed and was heard for them, when they were 
pouring Out his blood. 
S* Let mc confider with wViat ^iff^ftAoiv \v^ ^>aStx^\ 
all thofe things for us. It was bU axdeivX.\wc \o ^w&i- 



MEDITATIONS. 85 

ing fouls^ which many waters could not quench ;— 
with fervent wifhes and longings for the hour of his 
pa (Eon, / have a baptifm to be baptifed ivith^ and how am 
IJiraiined until it be accomplijhid / — with great liberali- 
ty : It is not the blood of his finger, or a part of his 
blood, that he would fhed for us ; no; he would needs 
pour out all his blood, and even his heart-blood too» 
and with that he poured out his foul, Ifa. li^i. Why 
would he be fo liberal ? that with him their might be 
plenteous redemption^ Pfal. cxxx. 7. — He fuffered with 
great meeknefs, patience, and reOgnation; w'hen he 
fuffered he threatened not, but was led as a fheep 
to the Haughtcr, dumb, not opening his mouth : — With 
great humility and felf-denial, content to be as a worn^ 
and no man^ to bring glory to his Father :— With a thir- 
fty zeal for ^he falvation of fouls« and for completing 
the work of our redemption ; and hence it was he cried 
on the profs, I thirjl^ and gUd when he could fay, // is 
Jini/hed* 

O what caufe have I to obey his dying charge, to go 
to his memorial feail, and to think upon and wonder 
at the matchlefs love of Chrifl, that made him willing 
to fufier fo many things for fuch wretched creatures 
as I am. He knew well enough before-hand what our 
falvation would cofl him, yet he willingly undertook it, 
faying, upon the very firft motion of it, Le I am come. 
Bot faith God to him, If you will engage in this work^ 
you muft underly my wrath, and be handled as if you 
were the finner in law : Well, faith Chri(l„ I come to d9 
thf will, O Godi I am fatis^ed with the terms : Let the 
cup be n^ver fo bitter, Pll drink it, ere thefe miferable 
creatures do it. O loving High Prieft, how fhall I 
think of thy fufferings without raptures of love and ad. 
miration ! I had b6en in hell if thou hadit not been in 
agony here \ I had forever been fcorched there, if thou 
hadfl not fwate here ; yea^ not only I, but all the po. 
ftfrity of Adam had perifhed if thou hadfi. Xk^x. WSi^^^^ 
thc/e many things for them : tuiel^ \iv«. ^«iv^x. ^'L 
wTMtb which made thee heavy » aud caufe^ vV^^ ^^^ '^^ 
the ground, fwcat, groan^ andcn,^o>x\^ Vv*^^>»^ 

G -» 



98 SACRAMENTAL 

O that I had the true mitrks of thofe who are divor- 
ced from the law. and married to Chrift as their huf- 
band; that I could fay, I look upon all my doings in 
point of acceptance with God as old rags; I live whol- 
ly and freely upon my hufband, and take all I want 
from him for nothing; I clothe myfelf with his righ- 
teoufneft, and effay the performance of every duty in 
his ftrength; I defire to live entirely upon his coft,— 
I have a heart-love to myhufbandi and every thing that 
belongs to him, and a heart-hatred to (in, and averfion 
to every thing thac is injurious to him: I am d^firous to 
pleafe him in all things; and out ^f regard to his dying 
command, I go to his table to remember his dying love, 
and renew my marriage vows : I delight in my hufband^g 
company, and prefs for communion with him in all or^ 
dinances. His honour is always dear to me, and I am 
eafy about my own honour and intereft in refpe£l of • 
his ; let me decreafe^ but let }Am increafe* And in regard 
the devil reigns here, fin abounds, error and cor- 
ruption prevail; I am well pleafed with the thoughts 
of Chrid's fecond coming to pull down Satan's kingdom, 
and to confummate the marriage with me, and all chat 
are efpoufed to him, and idiy ^JVhy tarry the ivheels of his 
chariot / Make hafie my beloved; evenfo come Lard Je/us* 
O that all the world would love him, exalt him, and 
fubmit to him. Many in different places admire him, 
and fee matchl'efs charms in him; his name to them is 
as ointment poured forth, his graments fmell of aloes, 
myrrh, and cafila, they have beheld his ftately goings 
in the fan£luary: O that all the world might fo admire 
him, and fubmit to him alfo, 

MEDITATION XXIV. 

From Ifa. liii. 8. 
*■ * » For the tranfgrejfiom of tny people wai hejlriclfn, 

OUR fins and tranfgreflions are great and various, 
and therefore our furety's fufferin^Efor them were 
^e3vjr andmanifoldi hocndurcd m?Ltv^ N»oua^%^\it>i\l^^^ 
cAafrlfements, and (tripes, which ftiouYd ^\\V^tiei^T>:t\vvm 
t/tc wore to us-, for he nuas wounded for our tranfej^ejfions 



MEDITATIONS. 87 

But he would notftop, thbugh they had all left him, as 
they did afterwards. And when his time was come to 
be apprehended) he would neither let Peter- defend him, 
nor angels refcue him, though there were twelve legions 
at his call: One angel would have been fufficient to do 
it, or one word from his. own mouth; bbt, faith he, The 
cup my father hath given me to drink, /bail I not drink it^^^ 
"W herefore, when they accufed him of blafphemy againd 
God, and of enmity: to Csefar and Mofes's law, and 
things he was perfedUy innocent of, he would make no 
legal defence to fave his life before Pilate, but held his 
peace, infomuch that Pilate marvelled greatly. He 
might think it was eafy for him to anfwer all they faid, 
but he knew not the reafon of our Lord^s filence, viz^ 
that he would do nothing to hinder the eledl's redemp- 
tion, which he had urideitaken. — And as he was filent 
before Pilate, fo was he before divine juflice, and would 
do nothing to divert the ftroke : Soon might he have re^ 
fcued himfelf whe^i juftice drew the fword, by faying, 
Father i- theft Jins are not mine : No, he is (ilent, and takes 
with the charge, as if he had committed them ail. On 
me, faith he, be the curfe; I will be the facrifice for thefc 
loft (beep. O love unfpeakable! yv 

The reafons of my Saviour's willingnefs to fufFer are 
obvious: he knew it was his Father's will he (hould fuf« 
fer, and therefore he faid, Pfalm. xl. I-deiightto do thy 
nuill^ my God. He knew it would greatly difplay the 
glory of the divine attributes, that was fullied by our 
fins; it would highly magnify his love to his iheep, John 
X* I lay down my life for myfbeep; I do it of myfelf, free- 
ly, without compuliion: It was neceifary to make his, fa- 
crifice acceptable and well-pleaiing unto God. The 
heathens would not offer a facrifice to their gods that 
came ftruggling to the alter ; fo every facrifice offered 
to the true God muft be a free-will ofiering,.a8 we would 
have it of a fweet fmelJing favour unto him. This Chrift 
hath taught us by his example, and u^ow x.Vv\% -^^^^m^^x. 
God hath twice proclaimed ftomVitvittv^Tbiiu w-^^^^ 
AvidScn, in whom 1 am well pUafed^ 
O^ was Chrilt's wiUiDguefe to tuff« iox t»»RX^ v^^ 



WPD SACRAMENTAL- 

that followed him: He bad no burial-place of his own, 
but was laid in another man'sv and ail this he fubmit- 
ted to for our fakes.— He was alfo (Ihcken by the rod 
of fore labour and tcilj by working at a mechanic tradci 
until he was thirty years of age; therefore they fa: ^, 
Mark vi, 3. // not this the carpenter,^ Man having eat- 
en the forbidden fruit was doomed to fore labour^ that 
he fhould eat his bread with the fweat of his brow. Gen. 
ill. 19. and to this doom our furety fubmitted for us. 
Man broke God's covenant by eating of the tree, there- 
fore his furety muil die on a tree. Man idolized a 
tree, and preferred its fruit to Gods favour, therefore 
his furety mult labour in cutting and hewing trees mod 
of hfs time. — Man lived a life of finning, and therefore 
Chrift muft live a life of labour and forrow; he even be* 
Came ^ man of forrows, Ifa. liii. 3. that we might ab'» 
tain everlafting joy and confolation. 

He was ftricken by mens reproachful tongues, fcoffir 
and mockeries, being called a gllutton, wine-bibber, de- 
ceiver, Samaritan, blafphemer, a devil, and one in com- 
pa6l wiih Beelzebub, the prince of devils. They derid- 
ed him in all his offices; as a prophet, by bidding him 
prophefy who fmotc him; as a prieft,bidding.him fave 
himfelf, fincc he pretended to fave others ; as a king, 
by putting on him a purple rcbe, a crown of thorns, 
and giving him a mock fceptre. Yea, he endured the 
moft cruel mcckings, and that in the midli of his 
fharpefl fufFerings and foul agonicF, when he cried cut 
on tbe bloody crofs, Eli, tli, &c. O, fay they, this man 
calls for Elias, playing on the word Eli. It was not 
out of ignorance or miltake they faid to, but out of ma- 
livCiand derifion; for they underftocdthc Hebrew lan- 
guage well enough, and knew he called on God,^ and 
that Eli Cgnified, my God. But, in there fpite, they 
would rcprefent him as an idolater ; and, when djing, 
that he prayed not to God, but to faints for help. — He 
was jirlcken by the moft open affronts and indignities 
Jrcm mctif by [pitting in his face , coT\^tmri\t\%V\m\o ^vt 
for bJafpehcmy SLgzinil God, av,dxte2iVoTi?.^i\x^^ ^''^^^'^n 
?r preferring Barabbas, a muictxet > b^i^x^ Vvnv^ ^sx^ 



MEDITATIONS. lox 

pofting him bct«rceh two thieves. Thus the King of Glo- 
ry was defpifed and reje£led of man for tks. If. liii. 3, 

He was ftricken by the fcourges of plaited cords on 
his back, and with the thorns they droYe into his head: 
That thorny crown was dcfingcd for torture, as well as 
derifion^ for, if it had been only to mock him, a crown 
of draw would have ferved the purpofe as well as one 
of thorn3. — He was flricken by the pincers that pluckt 
the hair off his cheeks *, and by the heavy crofs-tree laid 
on his bleeding (boulders, which he mud carry to Cal- 
vary. — He was ttricken with four big iron nails thro* 
his hands and feet, on whicii his whole weight mud 
hang. — He wasdricken with a burning heat and third, 
which the. wrath of God for our fins created in him and 
dried him up like a potflierd: This made him cry out, I 
third, yet np wine, no fountain, no creature that he 
made mud relieve him at this time. — ^He wag dricken 
by a fpear thrud into his fide to let out his heart-blood, 
to be fure that no life remained. Well, (faid our dying 
lamb)tetmydeared blood, my heart-blood, go for tliefe 
ioft finners, that their fouls may live and fing for ever* 

He was dricken by the ungrateful behaviour of his 
own difciplcs to him : Dy Judas his betraying and fell* 
i;»g him for a fmall fum, the price of a Have ; Bj Pet- 
er's denying him, and fwearing he knew him not, at , 
the temptation of a poor damfel : By all of them 
forfaking him, and leaving him in the midd of liis ene- 
mies. Befides all this, he was dricken in his foul, by 
the terrible glittering fword of judice, by the curfcsof 
the law, by dcfertiori from God, by the vials of his 
wrath poured out on him, which made fearful bruifes, 
deep wounds, and wide gaflies in his foul. — Oh, our 
dear fiirety was dricken till he fell to the ground; was 
overwhelmed with wrath, and covered with blood. 
With thcfc drokes our mighty Redeemer was thrown 
down, and broken with breach upon breach, till all the 
billo Wo of divine vengeance went over him. Oh^ never 
was there any forrow like my dear Sz.V\Qw.\*^^xxti^^ 
V'Jiich he fufferd when drickeu for m'j tvtv^X 
LordjI;im a/hamed of the haTdi:\tVs ^xiA. uxvc^xvcwcw- 



102 SACRAMENTAL 

ednefs of heart at this moving fpeclacle i Oh» did the 
dead earth tremble, the hard rocks rend, the graves O' 
pen, the heavens turn black at the fight of a dying Je- 
fus, (Iricken by the fword of juftice? And (hall n;/t my 
rocky heart tremble and quake, rend and melt for my 
fins, that were the caufe of it? Shall the hitlory of Jo- 
feph in the pit move me more than that of Chrift up-* 
on the crofs? Shall the news of the tragical death of a 
friend, or the fufferings of an acquainfknce among the 
Turks, move me more than die death and fufferings o£ 
the innocent fon of God on my account? Alas, my 
heart of flone will netiher break nor melt, till Chrift 
turn and look on me as he did on backfliding Peter. 
Lord, one look fr^m thee can turn /i&^ reek intoj^anding. 
'ivater, and thejUrit into a fountain of 'water* One blink 
of the Sun of Righteoufnefs can melt the mofl frozea 
and icy heart in the world. 

O how lovely is my ilricken and bleeding Jefus! E- 
yen when bleeding and mangled by my fins, I fee him 
%\ihite and ruddy ^ and the cheifejl among ten thoufand* E- 
very wound and flroke he got doth flill be«iutify him 
the more to me, and make my foul cry, O my loving 
and lovely Jefus! O how can I fee him fubftituting 
himfelf in my room, and making himfelf the butt ^ 
the envenomed arrows of juftice, and not be ravifhed 
with his love to me, and with the warmeft aiFe^lion to 
him! And at the fame time filled wih forrow for my 
fins, which brought on all his ftrokes and wounds! Oh 
my fins were the thorns that pierced his head, the nails 
which pierced his hands, and the fpear that pi<?rcedhis 
heart. My fins preflcd him down, and made him fwcat 
blood in the garden. iVy foul being exceeding finfuly 
made liis (oul exceeding {"orrowful. May I always hate 
fin, and lorrow for it- 

IvlEDlTATlON XXV. 

From GaL ii. 20. 

///W ^ ihe faith of the Son of God ^ who loved me^, and gave 

himjcljfor me. 

OHOW cfe/^rable an atiammetvx. \i x^^ t:Lw^\^«. ^^ 
rruc? hith upon the greaLX.S^VvoN^^ V^^^^^'^^^'^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 103 

Mrith an- appropriating perfuafion, or fpecial application 
to a man himfelf, fo as to fay * I believe and admire his 
< love to the elefl in general^ and. to me in particular ; I 
• trud him A^ith my foul, and my eternal falvation ; I 
-* embrace him, and put my whole confidence in'hihi, 
^ who loved tne^ and gave him/elf for meP Surely this is 
the faith, that every one that defires to obey that greaN 
commandmenti i John iii. 23* (hould aim at and prefs 
for, as a thing of the laft moment isind conftquence : 

Lordy I believe^ help thou my unbelief. ' 

Lord, I will not reft in a general belief and perfuafion 
of the mercy of God in Chrift, and of Chrift^s ability 
and willingnefs to fave all that come unto him ? but I 
/will apply his blood and rightepufnefs to myfelf in par- 
ticular, and reft on him as one that loved me^ and gave 
himfelffor me. This appropriating faith is neccflary to 
my juitification ; for every juftified perfon applies 
Chriil's righteoufnefs to himfelf, faying, as in If. xir. 
24. Surely^ in the Lord have I righteoufnefs. As the 
Church in general calls him, the Lord our Righteoujnefs ; 
ib I, in particular, call him the Lord my Righteoufnefs. 

1 make it my daily pradice to wrap up my naked foul 
in this robe, and live by faith upon it. I make perfon- 
al and particular application of the remedy to my foiil's 
imaladies, and draw virtue from it. — This particular ap- 
propriation in the aftings of faith is molt needful for 
clearing up a believer's evidences, and for filling the 
foul with joy and peace in believing; for overcoming the 
fears of death, and giving comfort at a dying hour. 
And particularly, it contributes greatly to the foul's com- 
fortable approach to the holy table of the Lord, when 
it can fay, « I receive a crucified Chrift as my Saviour; 

< I go to him as one ivho loved me ^ and gave himfelffor 
« me; I take the fymbols, and feed u^jon iiib body a& bro- 
ken for me, and « on his blood as Ihed for me ; and I 
^ accept of thefc as an earneft and pledge 01 m) living 

< and ftalling with my Saviour for ever.' 

A crucified Chrift, with all his purch^ife^i^ ^S^\^\\a 

all the heartrs of the gofpel : ¥01 V^uuVv '\\\ vw^. Havi\^^ 

and bybisminiUcxs in the gofpel-offct^ tpcii!^^ ^^ i\\^^^ 



104 SACRAMENTAL 

every one of them : yea, fpeaks to every finner, man and 
uroman in particular, as though he called them by name 
and (irname. And every man is bound to take the call 
and offer home to hinifelf, as if he were fo named, and 
believe that Cbrift (lands at his door and knocks, faying 
If you, or any man will open to me, I will come in. The 
promife is to jou^ and to ail that are afar off: even to all the 
ends of che earth, and to the (lout-hearted; to all the font, 
of men, to every creature, to them that have no moneyi 
to the poor, maimed, blind, naked, wretched, and jni- 
ferable, and to whofoever will come, To you is the word 
ofthisfalvationfent. Chrid doth befeech you to be recon* 
ciled, and to beware of coming (hort of the promife, by 
unbelief; fuch a promife as that, Whofoever believethin the 
Sonjhall mtperi/h^ but have eternal life : And that. Him 
that Cometh tome^ 1 will in no wife cafi out: Befides many 
others; John iii. i6. — vi- 37. Rev. iii. 17, 18, 10.— 
xxii. 17. Prov. viii. 4. ^Jfa. xlv. 22«— xlvi. 12.— Iv- I. 
Mark xvi. 15. Luke xiv. 21, 22, 23. AAs ii. 39. — iii. 
26. — xiii, 26, 47. 2 Cor. v. 20. Heb. iv. i. 

Now, feeing the gofpel-call and offer is given to eve- 
ry one, faith which is the echo of the gofpel-call, muft 
needs recieve an offered Chrifl, and falvation through 
him, with particular application to the foul that believes. 
As Chrift offers himfelf, and his purchafe, to every foul 
in particular; fo faith appropriates Chrid to the foul it- 
feif in particular. And indeed, the life and fweetnefs 
of faith lies in this appropriation and applicatory aA, 
when the foul is helped to fay with Thomas, Thou art 
my Lordy and my God; and with the fpoufe, My beloved 
is^ minff and I am his; and with David, Tho:t art my 
rocky and the God of my falvation, — Unbelief would tempt 
me to put away the gofpel-ofFer from me, faying, it 
doth not belong to me, I am not eleQed, nor de- 
fjgned to (hare of Chrift's purchafe : he did aot 
love me, nor die for me. — But in regard fecret things 
belong to God, my falvation is at the (lake, my 
need of a 5aviour is unfpeakable, and the offer is made 
to me; I have no time to lofe in dit^uUi^^ wOa. \ivt de- 
// and unbelief, but I will go to C\viift. otv x^^ ^c^a.^^ 

1 



ME » I'TA >T I O N S.> toi 

I.Jiavc. " He tells me he came to fave finners; I am fare 
that i& my name^ he loved enemies; that is my namc»- 
iieteccived gifts for the rebellious, that is my name; 
and now I hear the mafter calling and inviting me in 
particular: Therefore, in fpite of the devil and unbelief, 
and all my guilt, I'll go forward, and accept of Chrift as 
my Saviour and my King\ I'll truft him with my falva- 
tion, and believe be loved me^ and gave kimfelffQrme^ 
jrile and guilty as I am. This eflay to believe, Lord, I 
inake in thy ftrength^^and in obedience to thy command: 
But, oh! my mints are weak and fecklefs! It is only the 
jfipirit enlightening my mind, and opening up the gofpel- 
call and promife t^ me, faying, Toyiu is the 'word of this-, 
" Jalvaiionfent\ that determines me to make particular ap- 
plication of thy love-offer, by an acceptable appropria* 
ting faith : Let my help come from thee. 

Q Lord, my fins are great and numerous;* but, (hould 
.1 add to them this fin of refu^ng the remdy, and putting 
away ChrilE's love and blood offered to me in the gof- 
pel, this would be greater than all the red; for fo I 
would bring not only my own blood, but the guilt of 
the blood of God 4ipon my head. This I dare not do; 
now my foul is at the ftake, now the remedy is in my. 
offer, my need of it is great. I cannot delay clofing with 
it, yet a little while and opportunity is gone, and I mud 
change my dwelling forever; and how can I go any 
where without my Saviour ? Chriit I m uft have; to teach 
Q^e, to juiiify and fanflify me, none elfe can do it, on 
kim all my help is laid. Howfhali I go to a commu- 
nion table without him? How will I go to death without 
him? How will I go to a judgment feat without him ? 
Lord, my cafe is defperate without thee; wherefore I 
accept of thy offer, I believe thy love, I truft in thy me- 
pt8, I apply thy blood, I appropriate thy purchafe, 
:^nd cry, My Lord^ andmy^God. 1 confide in a ^n par- 
doning God, and reft on his promife to me, through 
Chrift's blood and merits, for life and falvation. And 
though clouds arife, and he fliouldtlvx^\XA\w«^^\5> 
flay jne^ yet I wiii^truft in him, ^ ouctbot lovftitn«^and. 
j;aveAimj£/f^r me. 

I 



io6 SACRAMENTAL 

ObjeB, But doth not the calling fiimett tafuch itpi« 
propriating a£l8 of faith, encourge - the prefcmiptaoua 
confidence of hypocrites to call G^ their God^ltke Bal« 
anil Numb. ixii. iS. and to continue in fin ? Amvf. 
No \ tbefe gofpcl-calls do encourage finners to love God^ 
to repent and leave their fins; fpr till we believe^ ami 
taftefometbing of God's love to us, we cannot love hiiq^ 
nor torn to him, i John iy. 19. Wthvehim^ htcat^e he 
firft loved us. And the abofe or prefumption of hypo* 
crites muft not hinder the publifhing of free gofpel-oC 
fers and promifes. 

Again, the. appropriating faith of believers humbtev 
the creature, deRroy&felf^confidence, purifies the heir^ 
draws forth the foul in love to Godi'and hatred to fiiij. 
Whereas the prefumption of hypoctitea have no fudk' 
cffefts. 

It is the duty then of every man, that hath Chrifft 
love-oFers tendered'tohim, to repent and believe thegot 
•pel, to fee his loft ftate.in Adam, and his needof Chriftt 
to be wejlpleafcd with thisgofpel device, receive .Chritt 
in all his offices, to truft in him as his Saviour, and there- 
upon believe that his fins are forgiven throi^h Chrift't 
blood; and fo perfuade and aifure himfelf that Chriftit 
his, that he died for him, and that he ihallhave life and; 
falvation through him. This perfuafion and aflurancc 
Jxing moft necefiary to the fpiritual life, it is the great 
duty of every ozie to prefs forward in the a^s of ntith^ 
until they attain it, faith being ftill weak and lame witb- 
*out it. ..But feeing many believers have it not always xYatf 
prevailing doubts and unbelief, it muft furely belong 
more to the perfe£lion of faith, than to the enence of 
it; Their cafe is like that of ;^ (hipwreck'd man that had 
got hold of a plank, he believes the plank is fufficient 
to bear him up,and keep him from finking, but the blow- 
ing ftorm, and his own weaknefs, make him doubt if hit 
giip be fait enough to hold by it. — Indeed, Lord, if thou 
didft not take falter grips.of me than I do of thee, my 
weak and mppGry fingeredfaith, would foon let thee ago i 
but I trqA jiQt in my faith, but iivti^^ i«L>M>iVafc(a\ 

f truft not in my promifea to thte >a>xt uv xJtCvat \a -rofes 
Ao* **. Ti. -__--_ 1 r^-r^v* ««%» l^T^ Aff\<9A 



M^EDITATIONS,. xcjy 

MEDITATION XXVI. 

From I John hr. 19. 
We hve bimy becaufi bejirft Uved us» . 

NO rcafon can be given why God loved any of A- 
4am'8 racCi but only becaufe he loved us: But good 
Kafons can be given why we love Grodj both becaufe he 
18 infinitely lovely in himleif, and becaufe he firft loved 
nS) and before we had any thoughts of love to hinu O 
what is our love^but a fmall dream that flows from, and 
returns again to the ocean of his love ! God's love t^ 
us is the fource^ the incentive^ the motive^ and moral 
oaufe of our love to him. We can never love God, un- 
til fome rays of hi^everlaftnig love break out to us ; for 
confcience of guilt> and fears of wrath^^o rather indiae 
us to hate him» and flee from him as an enemy.) 
than to love him, and dra^v near to him : But the 
breaking out of the beams of God's ancient and prevent-^ 
ing love tons in JefusChrift, makes way for breakings 
the enmity of our hearts, and bringing in the heavenly 
fire of love. to him. The ferious confideration of God^s 
eternal free love to us, poor, wretohed, and unlovelycrea**^ 
turesi and his loving, us at fuch a ratei as to feek and 
court our love at the expence of his Son's blood, is the 
mod powerful motive in the world to engage and draw 
outourlovetohim ; and the more we hav« of the faith 
or feeling of this love, the warmer ftill will our love to 
fcim be. God's^ redeeming love difplayed to men doth 
obfcure all the feeming glories of this world, as much as 
ihe meridian fun doth darken candies or f mailer fires ^<- 
and foon convinces us that there is nothing that deferve^ 
our afFe<flions but God and Chrid. No man that ever 
taded the fweetnefs of God's love, buc finds his heart 
warmed with love to him again. A forgiven foul can- 
not read his pardon but witA tears of Ipve and joy, and 
ftill there is much love where much is forgiven* Jf^e 
love him^ becaufi hefirft loved us* 

Lord, at thy call, i go to thy table t^c^ ^^tcCw^ -«g^<^^ 
thanks for God's preventing \ortz NC^TvXfc^xo Tisaxv\xw'^c«' 
^fouacUs of peace,, the covenant oi i^etwjVL^^> vs^ "^ 

1 » 



Acs SACRAMEN'TAL 

incarnation, the 'death, the blood, and righteoufnefs of 
our God-Redeemer. O amazing lore! I admire it in 
the antiquity of it: God^s love is from all eternity; his 
thoughts ttrerelongfet upon man before he had a being. 
I admire the freenefs and undtfervednefs of this lore"; 
there was nothing in man to engage his love j he faw 
nothing in him but poverty, debt, impoteacy, and de- 
formity; yea, man was fofar from deferving any love 
from God, that he deferved all hatred, as being lotb- 
fome and full of enmity; having razed out the image 
of God, and got Satan's fet up in its room! ^et, eveii 
then, God loved him fo, as to give his deareft beloved 
Son to die for him. O, did God love man when utter* 
ly unworthy of his love I and (hail not we love God^ 
who infinitely defervcs all our afle^ion, as being in 
himfelf entirely amiable^and altogether lovely ; andlike^ 
wife as afie^tionate to us, as he is lovely in himfelf t 
—Lord Jefus, I admire the flrength and airdency of 
thy love! Many waters of afBidlion did not quench it^ 
and the floods of wrath that went over thee could not 
drown it! Strong was that love that made thee engage, 
and carried thee through in fufFering the pains both of 
the firft and fecond death in our Itead ! Oh, I am a. 
ihamedand afHicledfcr my little love to thee !^— I mar- 
vel at the ccnftancyand fleadfaftnefs of thy love, that it 
continues firm to thy people from ev^riafting to ever- 
iafting; and that it is never altered by all the unkind 
returns, provocations, and ingratitude ihoumeeteft with 
frcm them.— I wonder at the fruits and eifedls of thy 
love! OhowgreatJ howfweet! how numerous! Who 
^ can value or fet them forth? Such as, « quenchipg the 
« fire of juftice, difarming the law of its curfes, brui- 
^ fing the ferpent's head, paying believers debt, obtain- 
« ing for rhem regeneration, pardon of fin, peace with 

* Goti, peace withconfcience, peace with angels, adop- 

* tion into God's family, jullification, fanftification, all 

* the graces of the ^Spirit, audience of prayer, growth 
'in grace, comfort inaffli£lion,a blefling on all provi- 

^ dcnccs, ptrfcYer2Lncc in holinefs, i\\e num^i^ ^i •A.T\^t\^^ 
/ vi^ory oyer dcAth, a happy icfuix^£l\ot\, ^cc3pS.\AXi<:.^ 



MEDITATION* 109 

'* at the tribunal, the beatific TiGoni and everlafting life !' 
Who can declare the loving kindnefs of the Lord? Who 
can utter his mightjr aAs? Who can (how forth all his 
pTaife? I may looner fathom the depth of the fca, the 
breadth of the earth, or the height of heaven, than 
meafure the love of God in Cbrift^for it pafTtth kno\t^ • 
ledge! 

CHiy how little do we love him, that lored us firfl, and^ 
toved us at fuch a rate ! Nay, how unthankful arc we 
-for all the inftances and fruits of hie matchlefs love i ' 
How unkind are the returns we make to him for it! 
* Jie allonifiied O ye heavens at this, and be horribly a- 
fraid at the ingratitude of men I* How little do we think 
■ion redeeming Jove, and upon the propitiation provided ^ 
by God for oAir fins I HowJittle da we fpeak of this 
love, or recommend it tothofe who know it i How do the 
fmaU trifles, and littKj nothings of this world, get more 
room in our hearts, than Chrid's glorious^purcliafe I How 
little pains are we at to fecure an intereil in the bleifed 
fruits of his love! How-^nnwiiling are we to go into the 
terms of redeeming love, to renounce a covenant of 
werks^felf-righteoufncfs) darling ijns, beloved idols, Sec, 
Howaverfe arc we to renounce the world, deny fdf, 
and to be debtors wholly to free grace? How inclinable 
ftre'we to.fatisfy confcience after commiiTion of (in, by 
our own do ngs» ^onfeffions, mournings, refolations, 
-&c. without ffoing to the propitiation provided by xhd 
love of God? How great is the liking we have to Cm 
that killed the Lamb of God! How can we fay, we love 
God that lov^d us (irft, when we hugg his enemy in our 
bo(bm ! O that my head nvere waters^ and my eyes afoun-' 
tain ef tiars-y that I might weep and mourn day and 
flight for the ungrateful requitals of the fons of men, 
the preventing love of God in Chrift, and the amazing 
inftances of it ! 

O. that I could fay on good ground, and from the bot- 
tom of my hearti I love him that fir&loved me. 8are« 
ly a fmcere love to God and Cht\ft. ^o^^\a ^. Vxx^ ^- 
ridencc of God'9 eternal love to TCic\ O xSaaxWx^^^^ 
umk$. c£ tbU lore, and could fay « lA^ xaftdi^asaa^^ s? 

1 X 



tT4 SACRAMENTAL ^ 

faints fowing fuch tears. Wdl then may this worU be' , 
called a valley of tears. 

BeGdes all thefe, it is well pleaHng to God when' 
Chriftians fow tears of tendeinefs in renewing covenanr 
vithhim, in prayer,. in heartog the lyordyin com^aai. 
eating and commemorating the death and fu&rings of 
Chri(t for their fins. This laft is a fpecial feafon for' 
ibwing tearsy according to Zech. rii. lO. O fliall ChriC 
tians.be more fparing of their tears for £!hrift^ than 
Chrift was of his blood for them? We cry outa^ainft. 
the Jews and Romans as hard hearted men for piering. 
Chrift and being unconcrned at his fufferings* But, what 
ibfter are our hearts,, if we can fee how our -fins put 
•him to death, and not be grieved fior -weep I Lord fend 
thy Spirit to touch my heart, and then it will meh int6 
a tlreamof tears for fin, that cu r fed thing that butcbeiv 
-ed the Lamb of God. O let thi&be my weeping tin^e, and 
feed time of tears, that hereafter I my reap in joy.. Ala«> 
tny feed time is fcrimp and infignificant, O let not my 
•harveft be proportioned to it. — Lord^ though I have 
not tears enough with Mary to wafli thy fiect, yet thou. ' 
haft blood enough to waCh my feet,, my hearty my hands, 
my tears, and all- my duties, and to make me and them 
acceptable and favoury to God, fo that I niay reap in 
joy with his people above, and (land there as a monu* 
ment of free grace for ever. 

Many, after fowing tlie precious feed of tears at com- 
munion feafons, have even had their reaping times here 
below, as an earneft and firft-frui^s of the full harveft a- 
bove. Lord, make me acquainted both with the fow- 
ing and reaping of penitent believers in this world, that 
I may have good hope, through grace, of iharing with 
them in the harveft of glof/ hereafter, even the full eilr 
joyment of God in heaven, eternal communion with 
the glorious Trinity, with the faints and holy angels. 
Let me know what it is, after a feed time of tears, to 
reap even in ordinances here below, the clearng of 
n:/ evidences of grace, and the evidences of 
m/ interefl in Chrift, ar.d *m iVv^ NitX^i ci\^'i\- 
^cred covenant. Let me tc^u t.\\^ Vilun^ >^^^i\^ 



MEDITATIONS. nj 

light of thy countenance upon me, whidi will put more 
joy in my heart than worldlings hare when thejr reap. 
corn and wine in the greatell plenty. Let me lee my 
name written in heaven before I go thither, that my 
paflage may be joyful in the midft of tears.— ^Let me 
reap even here new fupplies of grace, ftreogth to bear 
croffes, and refill temptations; gire me gracious returna 
of prayer, and viflory over my corruptions^ that I may 
fing with the Pfalmifti Pfal. cxxxTiii. 3. Intht day when 
J cried tbbu anfweredft me: and Jirtngthenedji mevnth 
Jtrength in my /buL ^ 

MEDITATION XXVIU. 

from Rev. i. 5. 

2T/ifo bim that /^tW 0/, and.nim/htd us from our fins in hit 

ovm biood. 

THE lore of Chrift in becoming man, and (bedding 
his blood to ranfom and fave finners of mankind 
will be the eternal fong of the redeemed abovci and why 
fhould they not begin this long here below ! Kerer wa9 
there fuch matter for fongs of praife as the unfathomable 
love of Jefus. His name is love ; and therefore it is 
to me as ointment poured forth. rU remember his love 
more than wine. His nature is love, his words and ac- 
tions were lovcj he preached and praAifed love ; he liv- 
ed in love^ was fick in lovCj and died for love.-- .Q 
what thoughts (hould I have of this free and undefer- 
ved love of the glorious Son ofGod, who was intreated 
by no man, and even hated of all men; yet in his free 
love intreats and undertakes for man, faying, Tho* he 
be my enemy, FU be both his furety and faciifice, Ml 
, drink the cup of wrath, be made fin and acurfe for him, 
I'll pour out all my blood and die for him.^^O how 
dtall I fpeak of this ailonifhing love to thy enemies! To 
have fpared our lives had been great mercy, but to give 
thy life for ours is love unfpeakable!— Oh I Lord, thou haft 
found me in my enmity, and loved me I When my hand 
was. lifted up againft thee, thy arms were open to em» 
brace I Nay, thou haft opened thy loving heart toftieU 
ter rebels who trodc thee undev toot\ TYv^ V^^\x}wb.T«v- 
#rf with love to |]iem who crueUy ^\ftxct<^ Vw\ Tcv^X.^^- 



Ii6 SAC RAMENTA:L 

kls yearned to;iirard8 thofe that raked in th^m with blocrdf 
hands I Surely eternity itfelf will be (hort enough to. 
celebrate the praifes of our glorious £ninianuel|^ who 
loved U8y and wa(hed us from our fins in his own blood 
Worthy is our flain bleeding Lamb of eternal Halleliu 
jahs from men and angels, l^rd, fit my heart for tbefc 
fiew fongs. 

O 4icTer was there fuch a miracle of condefcending, 
love to the Tons of men, as this of the eternal Son of 
God, his becoming man to fuffer hell for them, and 
pour out his blood to waili them from fin that kind]e« hell* 
fire againd them. Glory to the Lamb for his fire.quendi- ' 
ing bloody an<i for his preventing love that kept me 
from feeling of this fire! O how would this love have 
aSedled me, if jullicehadliBQjt me to hell, and kept mr 
there one year, or one month,or but one day ! Surely one 
day In hell would have made me prize and praife re- 
deeming love and redeeming blood at another rate than 
now I do — Or had I feen the damned in their mifery, 
defpairing and without hope ! Or had I feen my agoni- 
zing Saviour in the garden fweating blood for me^ or 
feen him dying on the crofs, pouring it out at five big 
wounds to the very lad drop, to wa(h away fin I O 
would not I then have valued the great remedy and fal- 
vation he now tenders to me ! — And is not all this which 
I now hear in the word, and fee reprefented in the fa-, 
crament, as true, as real, and certain as if I had feen it 
with my eyes? 

And now when I go to behold Chrift dying and bleed- 
ing in this holy reprefentation, even the Lamb of God 
facrificed and ilaughtered for nry fins; Lord, touch my 
heart that it may be fuitably afFedled with the fight, fo as 
intenfcly to love my blefll-d Saviour, and to hate my curf- 
•cd fins. — O how fhould I, at this occafion be covered 
with fhame and lothe myfelf, who have both procured 
the death of Chriii by fin, and finned againft his death, 
by flighting his blood and neglecting his great falvation« 
«-Oh! I am chargeable both with tnc guilt of Chrift'a 
blood, and of murdering my owtv(o>i\%- Q pardon and 
i/e/fverfjiejhm bhod guilUmJs^ G^d^ thou gS>4 oJ vk% ial- 



MEDITATIONS. 117 

My Gns Tiave indeed fhed the blood of Chrifl, but 
Lord, impute not the guilt, but the merit of this blood 
to me. — ^^Lord, what profit is therein my Wood? Sure- ^ 
ly the leaft drop of thy dear Son's blood is of more value 
- than a fea of mine. A whole fea of it can't wafh away 
one fin, but, Lord, thou calleft. me to look into the 
Lamb's blood' that taketh away the fins of aj world. — 
Oh, is not this blood more powerful to wafh me, than 
my fins are to defile me? Is riot its.virtue as frefh ftiU 
as when it dropped from his wounds on the tree, or 
iri the day when it cleanfed 3000 at once? Is not thy • 
Son's blood a. fufficient fatisfadtion for all my fins, a 
full price for my redemption ?— O my foul, thou art 
now near the bkflcd remedy for thy guilt and pollution, 
this .is the only well of falvation, and fountain of life ! 
O. can'ft thoii fee Chrift's blood running, and not de- 
fire to be bathed in it 1 Now the cleanfing and healing 
ftreams run on both fides of the table ; now let mcap- 
ply and live, let me bring all my fores and plagues to the 
ilreams, ipy blind eyes, my deaf ears, my weak hands, 
my feeble knees, niy hsitd heart, jny cold afFedlions, 
my -unbelieving and doubting mind, my leprous and 
unclean foul. Lord, this blood has waihed away the 
plagues, fpots, and ftainsof many thoufands, whoareown 
praifing the Lamb for it : Oh, let me be joined to the 
number, that I may alfo fing to him that loved and wafh- 
-cd me. 

O bleeding Lamb, \f thou nuilt^ ihou can^Jl make me 
^lean : O let that blood which gulhcd frorri thy heart 
and fide, but drop on my foul, and it will cleanfe mc 
from all fin.^ — And when thou art pleafed to come to 
men in the facrament in ftreams of blood, Oraife me up, 
that 1 may meet thee with ftreams of tears, tears of re- 
pentance, love and gratitude. O let me not be more 
fparing of my tears for Clirift, than he was of his hood 
for me. David's kindntrfe made even a hardhearted 
Sdxxl lift up his voice and weep, and will not Chrift's 
kindi.cfs, which is infinitely gr^atet^ rciiSk^tcv^ ^\^^ -^s^ 
Jsail iome Client tears ! 

O how cfreadftil a ttung muft. \tb^ to x^^^S^ %Nx\%x^ 



ii8 ^SACRAMENTAX. 

.mcdy! Surely juflice will not fpare them that trample 
tinder foot the blood of the Son of God: Ifjufticewas 
inexorable when he himfelf prayed, If it he pojfibky fet 
this cuppafs; hew will he fpare mc, or hear the cry of 
thofc who rejed his blood and facrifice ? How is it pof- 
fible that the cup of wrath can pafs from them who do 
it ? No, they muft drink it for ever themfelves I Lord 
fave me from rcjecling this blood. 1 believe , Lord ^ help 
fny Hhhelief^ 

MEDITATION XXIx" 

From Luke xv. i8, 19. 

Taiher, I have finned agalrf Heaven^ and before (bee, and 

am no more worthy to be c^l/ed thyfoUy &c. 

FATHER: Ah, I .may be afhamed to call thee fo« 
conf:dering what a difobedient and unthankful child 
I have been. I am a mod wretched prodigal, I left thy 
houfe and prefence and went into a far country ; far 
from thee, my blifs and happinefs. But now. Father, 
behold me defiring to come back as a poor penitent, 
mourning, and returning prodigal. I come from a far 
country indeed, 1 come from the land of fin* and dark- 
r.efs; 1 come from the frontiers of hell, from the very 
borders of tlie burning lake! Ah, foolifli creature that 
I on^., How have I fonaken tliee the fountain of living 
waters ! How fond have 1 been of broken cifterns, and 
in love with filthy puddles ! O the bafenefs, the dfin- 
genuitv, the ingratitude that I have been guilty of. I 
have rVfifled iiiy power, defpifed thy wifdom, under- 
valued thy gcodnefs! Father of mercies, I now fee 
what an evil thing and bitter it is to forfake the Lord. 
Holy Lord Jefus, I now fee what indignities I have 
dene againfl thee I Thy blefltfd body was dreadfully torn 
with nails upon the crofs, and thy precious blood in. 
liuiranly fpilt by the crucifiers! But oh I have net I oc- 
cafioned more grief and forrow to thee by my manifold 
fins ygainlt light and love ? They crucified thee but 
cnce, but I have crucified thee day after day I They 
crucj/ied thee bccaufe they knev/ thcc t\oX\ \i>ill Vv^.vci 

Jc/jOMii thet Wijar thou art in lYvj^.cXi, \^t \aa^ ^^S. 

jlor^^; and what thou art to me, ;2i tttvdw ^ti^m^x^v- 



ather; yet I have continued to crucify thee afrefh.— ■ 
[oly Spirit, I have refifted thy driving?, quenched thy 
ions, dcmolilhedthy work, and pur thee away grie- 
But, Lord, I condemn my folly, and fee my mife- 

Oh, what have I gained by offending thee i no- 
ig but (liame and confufion, fear, trembling,, and - 
ror ! .O what fruit had I in thefe things whereof I 
now^afliained. 

lut, Father, I have heard of thy compaflions to the 
ty, when they confefs, and forf-ke, and turn to th2e: 
erefore tho' I am afhamed, like the public:ir., to lift 
my eyes to h?i;ven; yet let mc, withhuriiblc Magda- / 
come beliind thee weeping, and waQi thy ft:et "with 
tears, and kifs them. And let me hear the news of 
ijn from thy month. Thou cameft, Lord, not to 
the righteous, but Tinners to repentance; uiidofthcfc 
n chief. — Lord, lam fullof difeafes, full of wounds, 
ofphgue-fores, iFuU of weakiiefsand infirmities, full 
fins and pollutions. Here, Lof<L, is work for thy 
ng hand, work for ^ly wonder-working blood: O 
tch out tiiy hand and fave. — Father, lam no more 
thy to he called thy fon, mahe me as one. of thy hired fer-* 
tsi and thou knowelt no hire, no wages will fatisfy 
but thyfelf ; Lord, give me thyfelf, be thou ray ex- 
iing great reward, 
^ord, I am fo vile a creature, that I may fear to corns 

prefent a petition to the€ upon the knee, and far 
•e to come and fit down with thee at thy holy table: 
ohn Baptift, a faint of the firft magnitude, thought 
iftif not worthy to (loop down and loofe the latchct 
hy (hoes, ihalllwho am laden with fins adventure to 
rholy feaH:,. where angels wait as miniilring fpirits? 
, Lord, in thy compafiion receive me, that cometh 
to excufe, but accufe myfelf, with eyes pail down, 
Lting on my breaft with t!ie publican, Lord^ be merci 
%e ajlnntr. Thou didlt gracioufly accept of thepub- 
n's prayer, of Mary Mij^'d-lene's tears, the faith of 
thief oil' the crofs, x\n, lepentance of l?titer^ ^K\vL^i 
Ttf thaf cr}jn:iht6, jhee. iiy t\vd^ \v.^'3cac^'?» o\ "Csx^ 
:yy 1 am cncoari^ed to draw u^^i Vo >LAt<i"* ^ '^^'^ 
K ^. 



120 SACRAMENTAL . 

rnc not away empty, left I faint by the way; but fatisfy 
my needy foul with the food of thy heavenly banquet, 
that I may reciere fpiritual ftrength and hourifiiment ta 
eternal life. 

Lord, hear my cry, and hide not thy face from me: 
"When Manaffeh cried to thee, thou hadft refpcft to his 
prayer: When the Ninevites humbled themfelvcs before 
thee, thou wall in treated-, yea, thou inviteft the moft 
. crimfon and fcarlet- coloured finners, to come and rca- 
fon with,'" and aflures them, thou wilt caft out none that 
come. — Many thoufands, who have experienced the 
truth of thy word, are, at this hour, finging thy praifes^ 
and exalting thy free grace. Lord, do tliou make me 
alfo a monument of thy free grace to all eternity. 

Ah, I may be afhamed to fpeak of mercy and grace, 
who have fo long abufed thy grace, and trampled on 
the blood that ftiould fave me. O that I could mourn 
and Veep all my life for it. Oh, what (hall I do with 
my Aony heart that will not break and melt for abufing 
God's mercy, and trampling Chrift's blood !. Oh, ihall 
I mourn and weep for a dead corpfe, or departed friend, 
and not mourn for a dead heart, or for God's depart- 
ing from me ? Shall the dear Son of God weep, fweat 
and bleed for us, and v/e not weep for ourfelves, hr for 
our f:nf.,^hat pierced his head with thorns, his hands 
with nails, and >*is fide with afpear, and his heart vi'ith 
f orrows. Lord Jefus, I look to thee for a penitent hearty 
feeing ihou telleft me, thou art exalted for this very 
end, to give repentance to Ifrael. 

Lor J, luhat is man that thou art mhidful of him ? and 
what am I, the unworthicft of men, that thou ftiouldit 
call me to fit with thy childern at thy table, who am un- 
worthy as a dog to creep under it \ yea callell me to 
eat the bread of angels, who am not worthy lo cat 
the bread of men! — Amazing love! that Gcd 
fnould court thofc to obedience, whom he can peremp- 
torily comniand to it; and, in cafe of difobedience, 
puniih inllanlly in hell \ that he ihould take poor ilavc^, 
condemned to the prifon of he\\> ^r.d m^^s.t xWm ciowu- 
tcJ kings in heaven 3 that he fl:iOu\d nox. .ot\\>j Xi-^ ^r\\\\Yi- 



MEDITATIONS i^f 

to dwell in.flefh, but alfo to give us this flefli for our 
food i that he (hould not only fave us from hell, but c- 
ven leave his throne in heaven, and lofe his life on earth, 
to enthorne us in liis kingdom! Thefe are prodigies of 
love, which ihould engage us to love our Saviour, and 
niourn for fin while we live. — Lord Jefus, pity a re- 
lenting, returning prodigal ; takchim home, and make 
thy fervant for ever. It is highly juft, that 1 ftould of- 
fer up myfelf a living facriiice to my Redeemer,~whp 
offered up himfelf a dying facrifice for my redemption. 

MilDiTATlONv XXX. 

From Song i, 4* 
JVe Villi remember thy iove^ 

I Go, blefled Jefus, at thy call, to remember thy love atT 
thy holy table j thy words have an awful found in my 
cars. Do this inirememhranceofme. 1 fee much in them ;' 
in obedience to them FU do this in remembrance of thy 
dwelling in flefh; in memory of thy love that carried 
thee to the minger, xo the g^arden, and to the crofs for 
me; in memory of the infinite price of thy blood which 
thou didft filed; in memory of the victory obtained by 
it over the enemies of my foul ; in memory of the de- 
liverance from wrath, and the immortal glory thou haft 
purchafed by it for me ^ Though thou didft die and lie 
in the grave, yet thy love fliall ever live in my heart. 
Glory to thee thou art now alive in heaven ; O come 

.and live with me; let never thy love be one moment 
out of my view. 1 blcfs thee for this lafting memorial 
of thy love. 

I look on this facrameut as no real or proper facr* 
£cc, as many do, but only as » rcprefentation or com- 

* memoratiqn of the real farcifice Chrift ofRred on thp 
crofs. I do no more at the Lord's table, than what 
Chrift did at it: Sluice he offered no facrifice at the ta- 
ble, neitbtr do I : He only did commemorate that fa- 
crifice he wa« goii^g to offer, and the fame, and no xci<yc^ - 
do I. If any ihouJd fay that Chiift. oScx^^ -a. x^-jWassx^ 
£c€, wltcn he iadkuttd this fact^Liiiewt, x\k«.tv tV^c^ <JAa-^ 

tJonva the crofs would have tew lui^x^>^^^'^>^55''^ 



122 SACRAMENTAL 

fmners would have been redeemed by that of the fup* 
per which went before. 

Now is the time for a folemn commemoration of thy 
love: Oh fliall I be unmindful of thy love at this feaft,. 
when thou waft fo mindful of me at it, made thy tcfta- 
ment, put me in it, ahdlefc me precious legacies tocaufe 
me remember thee; fuchas, life and light, par-don and 
peace, righteoufnefs and ftrength, grace and glory. — O 
how heroic, how generous and free, is thy love to fin- 
ful worms; We had done nothing to obilge thee; 
nothing faweft thou in us to engage thy love to us; but 
much didft thou fee in us to incenfe thee againft us. 
When we were without ftrength, ungodly finners, and 
enemicF, thou loved us and diedft for us. Greater love 
hath no man than this, to lay down his life for his friends g 
but far greater love hath God-man, who laid down his 
life for his enemies! O what fliall I thii;k of this love ! 
It had been wonderful loVe in an angel to ha^e ftoop- 
ed to be united to a lump of earth, and therein fufFered 
for us, though it could not have paid our debt. But, 

my foul, here is one more valuable than all the angels- 
in heaven, that has ftooped to do it : The JVord was tnade 

fcjij and dwelt among us! When I was like Ifaac bound 
on (he alter ; he freely offered himfelf to be made a fa- 
crifice to fatisfy juftice for me; Father, faid he, hw^ I 
ccmcy to do thy will I take delight. 

Remember this love, O my foul, the Son of God is 
become the fon of man for thee, that thou mighteft be . 

1 aifed to the dignity of a fon of God I He that was in- 
finitely rich, for my fake became poor, that J, a poor, 
naked creature, might become rich and well clothed. 
How can I look on the incarnation and birth of my 
Redeemer, and not remember his love with wonder ! 
Can I behold the m.anger his bed, and not adore the 
love that brought him to lie in iti O how low were 
the circumftances of the heir of h»aven, when he came 
to fojourn on earth, who had neither a houfe to live in^ 

nor an eltate to Jive upon, butmu^ ht fuhfifted by the 

AoIpitdUty of others f and frequently Vii^i^it '^'a^-^^ n^\>^ 

J^CM / Amsziiig prodigy of divvu^ Yqn^X ^'^^ ^^^^^^ v;x 



MEDITATIONS. 123 

dwell in flefh, ajjd gives us his flefh to feed upon in the 
fiacrament! He not only pardons our fiiis, and faves us 
from hell-, but leaves his throne in hcaven,_lofes his 
life on earth, and wades through hell to enthrone us in 
his kingdom, and make us crowned king3 for ever— 
Blefled be the Lord that gives me a com m union -fabbath 
to remember this love! What fhali I render to thee for 
it? A day of glad tidings! Thou ha f I often, on fuch a 
day, vifited the earth and watered ir, and made it rifc 
with thy (bowers! May thy grace and fpirit drop on us 

• this day, like rain on the mown grafs. 
. Lord, I am not worthy to touch the threfliold of thy 
houfe, and yet thou called me to thy table ! Not wor- 
thy to ftand among thy fervants, and yet thou wouldft: 
have me (it with my Redeemer! Not worthy to lie at 
thy foolftool, and yet thou wouldll make my heart thy 
throne! Not worthy to eat the bread cf men, and yet 
thou called me to eat the bread of angels ! O love wor- 
thy to be remembered to ajl generations I Lord enlight- 
en my eyes, and give me a clearer view of thy love, than 
ever I got; and while I am mufing on it, let the fire 
burn ; O make my heart burn within me with love to 
him that loved us. 

Q my. foul, confider the greatnefs of Chrid*s iove in , 
the cup he drank for thee ! How legible is it in his tears 
and prayers, his groans and cries, his agony and fweat, 
his w4Wid6 and blood, and all for us? O let this match- 
lefs love beget in me the wirmed love and afFc^ftion to 
him that loved us ! — O let the fire cf Chrid's love burn 
up my luds and worldly love.likcftubble; and remove 
the coldnefs cf my heart to him ! Oh, that I could weep 
bitterly that I cannot bring this vile heart of mine to 
love the Lord Jefus more! Oh, {hail I throw away my 
afFeftions upon every M'orthlefs objeft, and yet have 
none for the levelled obje<f} of the whole creation of 
Ged; and yet one that wculd needs die for me, to be- 
come my ranfom, facrifice, and atonement ? Isit tk^ 
charader of thofe who are Chritl's C^oufc^ \^ \l\ltwW ^-iicL-. 
radicr o£ the whole army cf inan^is^ ^tv<i ^^ ^x«tvV^ 

JIc:rcr, to IcYc CkriA, anU Ihall aot I V0N5 \Cvnx \.w\- 



i25 SACRAMENTAL 

the deriGon, mockery, and contempt; all the pain, fuf^ ' 
ferinj^, and forrow he endured, did proceed from our fins; 
thefe brought him to the crofs, and to the grave. — Let 
v.s then turn our hatred, and dricharge our fierce il in- 
dignation againft cur fins, let them be our avcr^on and 
dread for ever; let me al.vays look on fin, that crucified 
Chrift, with horror and tremble. Never fuch an In- 
ftance of the (Iriclnefi and fcvcrity of God's jufticc, and 
of his abhorrence of fin as here ! He vrould not fpare 
his dear SoA, when he ftood in the roomof finners, not 
fparehini cneflripe or wound, when hecried; butlethim 
bleed and ciic, till fin was fuily atoned for ? Can I fuc 
this and net cry, O curfed fin ! murderer of the Son of: 
Gcd ; away with it ; away '^'ith it ; crucify it," crucify it. 

O my foul, fee the evil of fin in the glafa-of Chrift'a 
v/our.ds and fufferinga in his body and foul ! S?y, O fin,. 
what hall thou done ! Thou hall provoked the God ot 
heaven to fiery indignation ! Thou halt killed the Prince 
oi life, turned angeh into devils, filled the earth with 
trcubkf, and heli witii pri:ciou3 fouls ! If any body had- 
killed my father, would i embrace the murderer, or love 
the dagger that was befriiearcd with his blood ? But 
what aie all my relations to * my Lord, my love th^t 
* was cruciiied !' O that my eyes were fountains of 
tears, that I might weep day and night for my fins that 
llcw my Savfour ! Oh, ilony heart, for (hame, become, 
now like wax, and be melted in the midft of ifiy bowels! 
Woe'3 me, that I can grieve no more for my fins. L-t 
me at leall revenge my Saviour's death upon my fir-sy. 
and fuficr them no longer to live in me. 

How dreadful mull the guilt of thofebe who willing- 
ly harbour fin, and iieli/,ht in tlie murder of the Lord? 
It is no lefs than to kils t".c niiils, or hug the fpearthat 
pierced him. They ma'^e that r:ieir joy which mads 
Chriit a man of fonow r Thev mak-* \uiht of that which 
made i:is foulheavy uiuo diraih. Oh, have I L'en my 
I: :iv:c:jr bleeding to drath by fin, and ihalilliveany l):i- 
^:: in iin that woundid hi.Ti ? \^.''iien a temptation to {in 



MEDITATIONS 127 

'<akcn. by one, that made Chrift to be for&kcn 
of God? Whether that fliall be fwcct to me, that 
was fo bitter and deadly to him t Oh, was my lovely 
Jefusa manof forrowsall his life, and fometimes made 
to fay, < My foul is exceeding forrowful-,* and (hall not 
I "be forry for, and abhor thcfe fins that caufed all his 
forrows? 

O may the believing view of Chrift's wounds and 
fufFerings which he endured for my fins, and to fave me 
from that wrath which they deferved, kindle the fire of 
love in my foul to Chrift.— "Lord, thou art 'the God 
that was wont to anfwer thy people by fire ; Opity me, 
and anfwer my meditations and prayers, by kindling the 
holy fire of love in my heart, and let that fire put out 
the impure fire of my lufts and corruptions,and infpire 
me with holy zeal and aftivity in thy fervice. O did 
Chrift freely give himfelf to be a fin-offering for mej 
and ihall not I give myfelf a tifank-offering tojiim? 
Surely it is highly reafonable that I fhould offer up my- 
felf a living facrifice to my Redeemer, who offered up 
-himfelf a dying facrifice for my redemption, 

MEDITATION XXXll. 

From John vi. 51. 
ij Mm the Hvtng bread that came dQwnfrom hthven : If any 
man eat of this bread^ he fljali live for ever 

CHRIST crucified is our manna, or heavenly bread 
that prcferves the life of the foul, and it is only by 
faith it muft be recieved and eaten. — Bread is a com- 
prehenfive word, including all things neceffary for this 
life ; fo Chrift, our fpiritual bread, is a moft compre- 
henfive bleffing, including all we want, feeing < he is 
' made of God to us, wifdom, righteoufnefs, fanftifica- 
* tian, and redemption/ — Again, bread is the moft ne- 
ceffary thing for our life, and the want of it brings the ^ 
greiteft miferyj fo Chrift is the moft neceffary blefling 
to the foul, arid the want of him makes a man mifer- 
able in time, and thro' eternity. It is a ^t^i^i^tT wi^ix^ 
to hstve no Szviour for the foul, than to Uan^ vi^Ns^^"^^ 
"or the body. Chrift alone is the bie^Lei xV^-aX ^x^'^^viea 
? from foatfaminCf and nouiifheiVi u^ xo ^x.^xtwi^'^^wN 



SACRAMENTAL 

Tie is the bread of life, the living bread. ' Lord, give 
« us evermore this bread.* 

Bread is called the (lafF and ft ay of man V life; fo 
Chrift is the ftaff and ftay of our fpiritual life, he up- 
holds our fouls in life. He is the (laff that faint and 
vreary fouls muft lean to, in going up through this wil- 
dernefs: Yea, Chrift: our living bread is a ftaff to de- 
fend us, and to beat off our enemieSi and to put all the 
hellifh hoft to flight. That was a (Irange dream of one 
of the Midianites, Judg. vii. 13, Behold a cake ofharUj 
bread came tumbling inio^ the hoft of Midian^ and ftnoit a 
tent. Strange! a piece of bread to overturn a tent! Be- 
hold this dream made good in the facramcnt. The 
bread there which reprefents Chrift, when recieved 
with faith upon him, will tumble into the hoft of Satan 
and his lufts, thefe Midianites who vex us with their 
wiles, ftrike down their tents, and put them all to flight. 

Chrift is the breacf that came down from heaven, of 
which the Ifraelites* manna, that God fent miraculouf- 
ly from heaven, was an eminent type. That manna 
was God's free gift to the murmuring and rebellious If- 
raelitcs, to prelerve them from ftarving in the defarts, 
where bread cculdnot be- had: This manna was a curi- 
ous grain, that made fine bread, with which God fur- 
xiifhed them ^ler.tifuily every morning from the clouds, 
fuflicient to fatisfy 600,000 men. But Chrift, our fpi- 
ritual manna, doth far excel theirs, though he was re- . 
fembled by theirs in fgme things. Manna was firft 
grinded and beaten, and baken in ovens, before it was 
made bread to theni ; and fo the grain which ;nakes 
cur ordinary bread miift be threlhed and grinded be- 
twixt two milftones, and baked by the force of lire, be- 
fore wc cat it: 80 Chrill, the antitype, was thelhed and 
bruifcd, and grinded betwixt the milftones oi divine 
juftice and cur fins, and alio roafted by the fire of M'rath, 
that he might be fit bread for faving the lives of our 
fouls-, and all this wc fnould ciillto mmd, when we fee 
and make ufc cJPrhe brcaa \\\ the holy fupper. 
The y/rcJites* manna, came dowxv \.o xltv^m V\\\\ \\\^ 
dcHTj fo Chriflj with the b.ne&vs oi \i:\ii^Mxc\vx^^»^Qtsv^^ 



MEDITATIONS. 12^ 

to us by the dews and influences o£ the Holy Spirit. 

^Thcir manria fell round about their tents, and every 

man was free to it •, fo every man is at freedom to ga- 
ther our heavenly manna. — The Ifraelites behoved to go 
out of their tents to gather theirs ; fo God will have 
us to go forth, and be at pains to get our fpiritual fopd. 
God, who rained manna about their tents, could have 
rained it into their mouths ; but he loves not to encourage 
floth in his people, but would have them at all pains to 
make fure of Chrilt for their portiton. As the Ifraeliteis, 
gathered daily, fo we muftte daily going to Chrifl, and • 
making uCe of him. As they gathered early in the 
morning, fc God would have us feeking after Chri(t in^ 
the morning of our lives. 

O how far doth our heavenly manna excel that of 
the Ifraclites! Theirs but fed the body, and could not 
prefervc them from death at laft; but our manna feed« 
the foul, and nourifhcs to eternal life i and prefe: /es 
all that eat of it from eternal death. — Theirs fell not 
on the fabUath-day ; nor durfl they go to feck it oa 
that day; but ours falls every day, and dpuble on the 
fabbath ; and therefore God calls us to double our dlli-i 
- gence, in gathering it on the fabbath. — Their manna 
continued only in the wildernefs, and ceaied when they 
came to Canaan^ but ours continueth for ev<?r, and our 
fuUcft enjoyment of it is in the heavenly Canaan ; and 
therefore all true Ifraelites long to be there. 

O how lamentable is their folly, who fpend all their 
j- time and thoughts in leaking bread to their bodies, and 
I arc carelefs and indifFerent about the bread of life to- . 
their fouls I All their care i^ to fupport the clay, houfe, 
but let the foul itrave that inhabits it. Oh, it is but 
ihort time they can enjoy the bread clicy are (o concern- 
ed -for, the bodies they niindfo much niufl foonbe meat 
for worms, and the foi-'ls they negledk a prey for devils! 
But, whatever others du, may 1 b;i wiie to provide the 
living bread fp;r my foul, and learn to eat it, and make 
ufe of it by faith, and efpecia'ly wheu I ^>i \r> \>5\^\^*>\^% 
tabJci for without faith we can yjet uo uo^:^Vvvt^'A^^x^x^v^.^ 
Jj/cj, nor Rreagth Irom th\s Vit:A\etv\^ \3TC7i.^% ^^^"^ 

1* 



SACRAMENTAL 

A D V ICES 

FROM VARIOUiS 

S C R I P T U R E , T E~X T S^ 

ADVICE !• . 

From Gen. vii. i. 
Come thou and all thy boufe into the Arls. 
A S God in his mercy called Noah to come into the 
/j^ ark prepared for him and his houfehold, to fare 
mm froril drowning in the great deluge, fo God, by the 
gofpe/, calls you, O man, to come into the aVk, < Chrift 
crucified,' which he hath, provided for periihing finners, 
to fave them from the deluge of wrath that is coming. 
God hath lotigJorewarnedyou of it ; nay, the flood is 
beginning to rife, it is time for thee to flee to this ark; 
helifve it, there is no other way for thy fafety : The 
rrk of thy prayers, or of thy tears- conviftions, or rc- 
f rm tions, will not fave thee from \i\ nothing will 
' do it but the ark Chrift. 

As ail who were out of Noah's ark pcrifhed in the 
fiocd, lb will all perifh who are outof Chrift. — ^Thofc 
of the old world, who only came near to the ark, or 
tuuched the out fide of itr they jserifhcd if they did not 
enter into it ; fo in like manner ,jvill thofe perifli, 
wl only come near Chrift by an outward p^ofeflion, 
and art? not found in him by a true faith. 

j^.s the ark gave a good, account of all that entered 
into it, net one of them was loft in the flood; fo will 
Chriit ^ive a jiood account at the laft day of all that fly 
to liim by faith: None Ihall pluck them out of his hand, 
rot one cf tliem ihall perilh in the deh^ge of wrath; 
Chiift will prefuit ihtrm all fafe to his Father, Behold^ 
here (.m /, and the children thou hajl given me. 
/jS Noah's ark was accti[A>\e,aitvdWd^doQT iu it 
for peoj-le to enter, fo in ;x ciud^vtd V^u^ ^^"^^ ^^ "^ 
dcor of accefs opened, even adooi ot li\\V^^\w^^^\i^ 



ADVICES* 133 

poor fiiyiera of the GcntUes may have accefs to Chrift, 
and to God in him, A£ls xir. 17. As Paul and Barna>« 
basrehearfed it as glad tidings to the Church, that * God 
had opened ; adoor of faith unto the Gentile^V fo we 
Gentile ^nners fhould gladly receive the news. Glory 
to Qod in the higheft for opening this door of faith, and 
keeping it flill open to periihing (inners. 

Come then, O Gentile finncr, enter in by this door 
to the ark^ and lodge thy foul within it, that thou may- 
e(l be fafe from the flood of wrath that is coming upon 
the ungodly world* God forbid you be found hover- 
ing without the ark, until the flood come and waQi you 
oft from the very (ides of it. O how difmal and cut- 
ting will the thought be to you through all eternity, that 
you was fo near Chriil, and within a Itep of the ark, and 
fometimcs touching- it, and yet never entered into it I 
How fad will it be to perifli, jike the thief upon the crofs, . 
with a Saviour at your fide, and to fin^c into hell betwixt - 
the arms of mercy (Iretched forth to fave you I Now, 
pcor foul, the ark is near you, ffee to it with fpeed; be- ~ 
hold, for your encouragement, there is a window open^* ■ 
ed in the fide of the ark, and mercy's hand is put forth 
to take in {lielreTlefs doves who come to it. Now is the 
time to beilir yourfclves, to come into the ark without de-« - 
lay, and fo prevent your perithing in the flood for ever. 
Q^ What fhali 1 do to get into the ark, ./o w/, a cru- 
cified Jefus! 

A. 1. Be like Noah's dove which he fent forth, fee ■ 
that you find no reft for the fob of your foot any 
i^where elfe; turn your back upoh all other'arks of .men's 
~ deviling, they are all infufficient to fave you from the : 
flood:. Make net an ark of the abfolute mercy of God . 
out of Chrilt, feeing he declares a crucified Jefus to be 
the only channel of .his. mercy. — Make not an ark of ' 
church privileges, as your good education, admiflion to 
fealing ordinances, &c. for the ark did not fave Shiloh, . 
nor the alter's horns fave Joab, nor the temple fave ]e- 
-rufakm.--Make not an ark of ^oui ^\^x.'&^Vtv^'^\^^^^ 
priyets, duties^ moral honclij, ot l^\W\^\"^^^^^^^^'^-» 
Joi the ilcod, when it comes, wdV d^fti ^Wx^cw'cWv^^^^^^' 



ADVICES. j^s 

grofpel oiFer) and taking home the remedy as his own ; 
depending fl:ill upon the Spirit's grace, who will not 
Fail thofe who truil in' him, but a(E(l them in malang 
[av4ng application, 

5. Be willing to part with every thing that would 
compete with God's ark, however rp>ecious or plufible 
i (hew it may have. Renounce the old covenant, and v 
all lurkingplaces about Mount Sinai, for in none of thefe 
you1:an find fafety. Abhor your own righteoufnefs for 
an ark, whatever (hape it appear in ; and embrace him 
alone ifor it, who is the Lord cur Righied^nefs. His 
righteoufnefs only is fpotlefs, perfeft, and law-biding. 

6 Make a furrender of yourfelf, and all you have, to 
Jefus Chriil, to be difpofed of by him as he pleafeth. 
Be willing to fufFer the lofs of all things for him, yea, 
count 'kll things, lofs and dung that you may win to 
the ark, and be found therein when the flood comcth, 

• A D V 1* C E JL ^^ 

From Rev, iii. %, 
Behold IJland at the door and knock, < ■ ■ 

IOST finncr,! bring you good tidings; the eternal 
_j Son of God hath undertaken a long^journey, and 
endured great fufferings to purchafe falvation for thee! 
Adearpurchafe it is, dear hath itcoft hi n to obtain it! 
and now he hath brought it the length oi.thy door, and 
there, O man, Chrift is (landing knocking, and faying, 
37?// day falvation is come to this houfe door, open and tate 
it in.— Now, can you rcfufc, O fmner, to take in 
ehrifl's purchafed falvation, when Chrill hath come 
with it to thy very door, even the door of thy heart? Be- 
hold he (lands at it, and knocks for entrance ! Op'efli 
open, &c. 

The arguments for your opening aredrongand many: 
I. Coniider at whofe door, Chrift doth (land, even 
at the door of a creature infinitely helow him..— Oh! it 
is at a beggar's door, that hath noth\^^\.Q ^w\fcx\.-»Kw 
Chri/l w'if/j when.iie enters \ yet t^\\)[v\vft^0^^^x^.^ ^^^-^ 
and J will bijng in provifion wuYv me^ ?LXv^Ti\'a^^ '^^^'! 
i'chfc^n.-^Itis^t the <foor gf a ^ooilk^'^.^^'^-^^^'^^" 



L\» 



ij5 SACRAMENTAL 

fuU of ulcers arid fores; yet, faith Chrifti open and I 
will bring in the balm of Gilead, a pkifter of my blood 
for beahng your fores, and for as codly as it is, it (hall 
coftyou nothing — It is even at the door of an enemy,! 
mortal enemy, that Chrift (lands ; you have fpoken iil 
of him, thought ill him, and done ill to him; you ha?c 
aiFronted him wounded him, and lodged his traitors and 
murderers; yet, faith Chrift, Open, and hearken to the 
offers and terms of reconcihation which I have purcha- 
fcd for you with my blood ; they are mod furprifing and 
fdfey eafy and honourable, — It is at the door of Satan's 
Haves that Chrilt (lands, thofe who have long been 
drudging at his work and feeding .upon his hulks ^. yet, 
faith Chrilt, Open to me, and I will fet you at liberty, 
and make youGod's free men andchildern. Why then will 
you not open and receive him joyfully? O finner, (land 
amazed at Chrid's condefcending goodnefs, in (landing 
at the door of fuch-a fmokj; cottage, foill fwept, and out 
cf order! Good rcafon have you to cry cut, Lord,.! am 
tiot ivorthy thou Jljouldj] come under my roof ; but, feeing 
thou humblefl thyfelf to vifiil the unworthy in fuch a 
manner, come in, and but fpeak the word, and thehoufe 
fnall be ckanfed, dilcafes healed, grievances redrefled, 
and the foul made happy. It is highly your interell 
U\n\ to open the door, and welcome in yoar Siviour, 
who iunds i*nd knocks for acceis. 

2. Again, confider who it is that (land? ?.t your door: 
—It is even the King of Glory, a Kin;j cf infinite power 
and majeityl yVnd will ye not life up the gates of your 
i^\:.h to this King! Vvere it but an earthly king tnat 
kiiockeJ at your door, you would foon open and re- 
ceive liim, yea, count it a grea: honour tiiutyou had 
fucLaperl'on in your houfe ; but what arc clay kings to 
the Ki/Jgof Glory i^ To < the Prince of tae kings of tae 
earth r' To < our great Emmanuel, tlic gloriouo Piant of 
renown,' the ll2.;d of the elv;vLt worLi I \\ iio then would 
not Ciiii the gates widr; open to iucli a gl.;rious Ki.i^? 
— A^hiJi, he IS ' tht eYerUlUi\:;^aiWi,' ^witnc i-aui-r 
o/' uli bcjicvcr^, tiiat Hands and t-Aoc^^sN <\ ^iJ :,vV--: Vo}^ 
cfj^j'rj'^ thut fQlhwd uf.er hiu jtov\\'^AV U\\Uc.^a, \\\^v"vix- 



^ ADVICES. 137 

vites them to return to him ! And will not a child open 
iht door to his father ? Can you find in your heart to 
keep your compafTionate Father (landing at your door? 
■ ■ Nay further, it is your hufband that knocks, a la- 
ving hufband, that hath fufFered much for your caufe: 
And will not an afFeftionate fpoufe open and let in her 
hufband? — Moreover it is your phyfician that knocks, 
who brings healing medicines for all your^difeafes, by 
which he hath cured many thoufands before now ! And 
will not a (ick and dying man let in fuch a^pyhfician i 
Open, O finner, why will you die? 

3, Confider Chrift's patience and Ibng-fuffering at 
your door, he doth not knock and then go away as one ' 
indifferent whether you open or not; no, he knocks and 
ftands flill; he (lands and knocks. again, a^nd that aftet 
miany repulfts! No beggar Mcanting an alms would (land 
fo long ^t our doors, as Chrift (lands at a beggar's door, 
notfeeking to take from him, but wanting to give him. 
— — - O wonder at his goodncfs and longpatience ! Behold 
he that hath a throne of glory to fit upon, and ten thou- 
land times ten thoufand to bow before him, is willing, 
O finner, to (land at thy door ! yea, he (lands whilll 
thou dofl lie in the befom of thy lulls. — He ftands with- 
out, whilft his enemies^ are let in and allowed to pofTefs 
the bed feats l-^He ftands at the door, while Satan Is let 
in, and gets the eafy chair ! O wonderful patience! That 
Chri drafter fo many affronts and repulfes, and after fee« 
ing enemies preferred before him, (hould continue to 
ftandat your doorand knock? But, O finner, do not try 
his patience too much, nor proyoke him too long ; for, 
iobfcrve the text, he now ftands, he is now on hisfeetrea- 
dy to go away \ the knock will be given that will prove 
the laif, and thou knowed not but the prefent knock 
Inay be it, do not then delay to open one moment longer. 

4. Confider Chriit's earned defire to be let into your 
heart, he not Oi;ly Hands at the door, but he knocks; 
yea, knocks loud and knocks often, to c^wivc^cx, ^^>^ 
of his earnelinefs.. Many loud knock doaa^\va %v«^^M 

his cdUs^Hiid invitsitions in his wotd^* Cotti^ >rcce^'«v^ 
/ open unto mc, look unto me.' M^iu^ ^ k.^o^V^ ^h^^^ 



138 SACRAMENTAL 

by his promifee to you, I will come in, I will fup with . 
•you, I will eafe you, heal you, enlighten you, manifiBft 
myfclf to you, &c. — Many a knock gvies he by his thieat- 
eninge of wrath and vengeance againd thofe that (hut 
their doors againil him. Many a knock gives he by 
your own confcience, and by his own Spirit railing con- 
vidions, inclinations, deflres and purpofes within your 
heart to briiig you to a Saviour. — And many a rap and 
knock doth he give at your door on facramental occa* 
fions. Then it is he knocks aloud with his nailed hands 
and pierced feet, and (lands at your door with his wounds 
open, his blood, dreaming and his garments dyed with 
blood : And all this to (hew his earneftnefs to be let 

into your heart. Open then to Chrxft, O (inner, 

while he ia knocking, be afltired he will not knock al- 
ways, this may poflibly \>t the lail day of the Spirit's 
knocks and (Irivings with thee •, fo that if you re- 
fufe to open at this prcfent knock, God may (Irike you 
dead and fenfelefs all your life« clap a (ealon the dooij 
that it (hall never open; youmay hear miniftersknock after 
this, but never hear God's Spirit knock again; and * Wo 
« unto you if he depart from you.' — Remember, O man, 
for as many knocks as God gives at your door, he keeps 
an exa£l account of them all, and will reckon them all 
up to you at the judgment feat. And can you think 
he will open heaven to you then, who will not open 
your heart to him now ! No, no-, his ear will be as deaf 
to you hereafter, as yours is to him now. Read and be- 
lieve that terrible word, Pr«v. i. 24, &c. 

ADVICE IIL 

From Rev. iii. 20. 

If any man hear my voice f and open tbs door^ I xvill Come in 

and fup with him, 

GREAT and precious are the promifes which Chrift 
makes to them who hearken to his voice in the 
^oi)3cJ-offer8, and open their he irts to receive him, as of- 
tcrcd to them in all his offices *, 1 nvWV corcis; \tv^ ^w^d be in*^ 
^// tAe benefits of my pur chafe v^vtH ccit x.^ wvUiX-^vwTc^^ 
-^^3/1: thsLt foul, even pardon, pe;x<;e,V\^^\v^-^^^^^^ 

313 d (7 In r v 



ADTICIS. 13, 

1, Obfcrve the duty called for is, to hear Chrift'e 
TOice,ard open the' door to him; thatis,to accept and cm- 
brace his free gofpel-ofFerR, and heartily to acquiefce in 
thegofpcl nr.cthod of a finner'sTCConciliation and jullifica- 
tion through the wghteoufnefs of our glorious Emmami- 
c), and willingly receive ai-d fubmit to him as our pro- 
phet, prieft, and king. What is the preaching of the 
-gofpel,but Chrifl's charming voice calling h It linner's 
Borne to himfelf ? — ^^. hat is it, but Chrilt's following 
them v-ith invitations and intfeati<rs to come ro him and 
live? This isChrift's voice which he would }:ave fiiiners 
to hear, come and live j though they gentraHy refiife to 
^2o it ! Oh, what condemned malefaftor would' refufe to 

hear the voice of his fovereign offering him his life, as 
condemned fmiiers do? John v. 40 • Ye will not come 
unto me that ye might have life* Yet behold, after n>a- 
ny refufals, l;e followjs his offers with argument^, ftrong 
arguments to prevail with Tinners, and after tlie great- 
eft obftina^y he is loth to break ofFhis treaty with them, 
Hof. xi. 8 * How (liaU I give ihee up Ephraim ? Why 

• will ye die? What realbn can you give for refufiftg 
life, or for chufing death ? 

2. Obferve, who it is that Chflft calls to hear his voice, 
ind open their doors to him ! is it not this or that man 
only, or any particular fort ofjaoen; it is •any man,* e- 
very one that fits under the'^llwpeJ. • If any man will 
< hear my voice, and will open the door,* faith Chrift, 

• I will come in/ If any will open, be he old man 
or young man, < 1 will.come in/ li the greatert finnner, 
the -nioil crimfon-coloured firiner will open, * I will 

• come in/ * Any man /. if the fwcarer will open, if 
the fabbath-breaker, if the murderer, if the drunkard, if 
the lincltran, if the thief, if the cheat, if the liar, if the 
mocker, if the praycrlels man, if the.m3n that hates 
God and godlinefs will open to me, * 1 will come in 

• and fup with him/ O what encouragement doth this 
Word, * if any mail,' give to every finher to fly to Chriil! 
If iiny man, whoever he be, whattNtx Vit \\7atv^^^^^W 
he will welcome me, receive me vv\ \\\^ ijilA>^.-:\^'S.^'^'^>^- 

will co/i.e rn tvhiixi. " ' 



140 SACRAMENTAL 

J. Obfcrve, Chrift requires finners to open the door, 
that he may come in to teach them ^ however anaUe 
they be, this is their duty, they mufl mint, and ufe all 
means to dd it, and look up to him for (Irength. He 
will have the Tinner's confent, and the foul niade filling 
to receive him. O then caft open the door, open it 
wide, receive Chrift wholly, receivk him without refervc, 
open before liim the two-leaved gates, not the wicket, or 
one leaf only, but both leaves of the door. Let Chrift 
have the full and free confent of the foul, and abun- 
dant entrance into it. . There are fome refolving to o- 
pcn the dopr to Chrift, others perhaps beginning to o- 
pen it, O let them not halt in doing. With fome the 
door is half open, and there they ftop.. They are almoft, 
but not altogether Chriftains. O almoft Chriftain, why 
do ydu halt ? Why would you lofe all the pains you have 
been at ? A little more would caft the door wide open, 
and make you an altogether Chriftian. Go then. a little 
further, O finner, to fave your foul. Open to Chrift all 
the powers and faculties of your foul. Open to him 
fuily here, as you would have him to open freely to you 
hereafter. Oh, what mean you to open to Chrift only 
by halves ? the half open door will be ready to go to a- 

fain, ahd alas! if fo, it may never open for the future, 
.et it be ycur concern^then to go a little further than 
the almoft Chriftain, aa|(||feft not in fair beginnings. 

4. Obferve, how great the advantage is of opening 
the door to Chrift : W hy i 1 will come in to the houfe, 
faith he, even the friend of finners, the King of Glory 
will come in, the beft gueft that ever came into a poor 
nraiiS houfe; How hcnourable^how profitable, how iiappy 
aid blefTed nr.uftluch a vifit be ! — Q^For what end will 
Chrift come in? A. He will ccme in to enlighten the 
hcufe ; for the foul is a dark dungeon while Chrift is 
fliut out : He v?iU come in to adorn andeniich the foul 
with the ornaments and treafures of his grace; he will 
come in to reign in the foul, and pull down the tyrant 
that hath long oppreft you : As in the text, he will come 
j/i and /'up with you, and c:xufe \ou 10 ^ui^ >kuI\ Klrci: 



Q becaufc you have no fitting.provifion in the houfe, 
will bring it with him. And how rare are ChriU's 
nties, his hidden manna, the fruits-of the tree of life, 
: grapes of Canaan, the bread that comes down froni 
iven ! How excellent is the water of life ? One drop 

it would be an everlafting fpring in thy foul, that 
uld keep thee from thirfting after the creature any 
•re. What a rich feaft are tlie graces of the Spirit 
ickened to a lively exercife ! What a blefled feaft is 
don of fin, peace with juftice, peace with the law, 
i intereft in Chrift's purchafe, intimations of Chrift's 
e, gofpel-promifes applied, communion with God, 
ws of eternal life, well grounded hopes of immortal 
ry ! &c. O how precious and delicate are thefe gof- 
rarities which are fct before you on the communion 
le, and freely tendered to every one that opens the 
)r to Chrift ! Who would not welcome fuch a gueft 
t brings fuch glorious provifion with him t Had 
)r finners fpiritual appetites fharpened for Chrift's 
ft, there would not be fo many fliut doors againft 
1. 

;. Obferve, how folemnly Chril¥*dfFers thefe gofpel- 
ffings to you, with a « behold I. ftand,* &c.' Chrift 
:es witnefles upon it, witnefles againft the refufcrs : 
lold ye angels, and witncfs for me how kind and 
intiful my offers are to A^M^ Rebellious childeren ! 
lold ye minifters, and witneTs-againft thofe who {hut 

out! Behold ye ftones and timber of the houfe, yc 
mentsand communion tables bear v^itnefs forme and 
linft them ! Behold ye fellow-comi.unicants and 
irers, bear witnefs one againft another that I knock- 

I called, 1 knocked loud, I knocked long, but yc 
)t your doors bolted againil me. It is a melancholy 
ugiit for thofe who are minilters to entertain, that 
y will one day be brought in as witnefles aga.nlt thofe 
o fti'ut out their Saviour; but when called, they 
(t witnefs againft fuch, tho' never lo dear to theninow, 
tChril; called, but they refufed; he made kmd^^^sL 
jet'fFeri, but they icgardcd them tvou O x}t^.txv\^w*^- 
wl fct about fwGC^nhg andv/aft\\v.^^\\\ixa xo^^sva^**-^^ 



5J42 SACRAMENt AL 

cad open all the doore, as Vide a8 they caxit to thf 
King of Glofj, and recieve hiih with acclanfiatioB and 
praife. Take the Q^bwn offthe.head of felif, andj^oC 
it on the head of Chrift, afcribing all the glory of yduir 
falvation to hixi), and nothing to frec^^will air yourpwA 
doings. ,. - 

A D V I C £ IV. """^^ 

From Prov. ix. 5. 
Come^ eat tf my bread ^ ami drinh of my wtne^ &'r. 

CHRIST is the wifdbm of God, who hath made ricb 
piovifion for entertgining his people, and hath ftt 
it before tho^n in the ordinance of the Lord's fupper, i- 
ven Chrift crucified, with all the fruits qf his porchafe 
^ Hisflelh is nrjeat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed/ 
The fruits we feaft upon are * pardon and neace, righ- 
^'teoufnefs and grace, the aflurancc of God's love, the 
* confolatiofts of his Spirit, the promifes of the gofpel,* 
and all the carhefts and pledges of eternal life. To 
this feall ftaT.ving fouls are invited, to feed by faith up- 
on thefe proviCc>fm Chrili hath prepared for them, ap- 
plying them to themfeives, and taking the comfort of 
them. 

Bread and wine are chofen as fit refemblances of his 
fpiritual feall. As bre^yud wine ferve to preferve our 
natural life, znd to ftr^^nen and cheer us when weak 
or fainting \ fo Chrifl crucified, apprehended by faith, 
preferves our fpiritual life, and procures eternal life, 
ftrepgthens weak believers, and chters drooping foulf. 
—As bread and wine incorporate with our bodits; fo 
Chrifl by his fpirit dwells in us, and we by faith and 
love dwell in him. — As bread and wine fatisfy our hun- 
ger ard thirlt; (o thcfe who by faith lay hold and par- 
take of Chriil'd fiefii and bleed, fliajl no more hunger 
or tlirfl ^fter earthly tlings. — Bread is the mofl necef- 
fary iHng in the world, hence called the llaff of bread, 
it upholds our lives ; fo Chrift is the mercy of mcr- 
cles, the moii ufeful and necefTary blcfling to picferve 
our /lanirg fouk* Chrift. U \l;cft.?.tt ^i\>'s^^'u\^^i.^\ 



ADVICE. V 143: 

to believing communicants, a ftafF that fupports you, 
a (lafF that defends you, a ftafF that will beat o'fF all 
your enemies: If you take hold of this ftafFby faith, it 
will rout and put all your foes to flight. There is na 
bread like this I * I am the bread of life,' faith Chrift. 
We read. Judges vii. 13. of a dream of one of the 
Midianitiih holl; He dreamed, when Gideon was com- 
ing upon them, that a cake of barley-bread came tum- 
bling into the hoft of Midian, and fmote a tent that it 
fell to the ground* Strange ! a piece of bread to over- 
turn a tent! Behold thelnterpretation of that dream in the 
holy facrament ! Here a piece of bread, if eaten bf futh, 
that will invade the Midianiti(hhoft*of the devil, and 
the lufcs of the flelh, ftrike down alK their tents, and 
put them to flight. Come then, eat of this bread b^iie- 
yingly, and take faith's view of Chri&'s body reprc- 
fented by it, as bruifed and broken by our lin's i this 
will w aken their power, and turn your heart againft 
them, and make you refolve that thefeenemeis of Chrift 
fhall no^ live in your foul. If the fight of Cxfar's bloody 
robe incenfed the Romans againft the murderers who 
flew him, much more a fight of Chrift'i wotinds and 
bruiftfs in the facrament, fhould excite you to hate and 
kill fin, and revefigc Chrift's d^ath upon this cruel mur- 
derer. 

' Again, would you have fcircngth for your wildernefa 
journey, and for the temptations and trials you meet 
with, before you have occafion of another facrament ? 
come, eat of this bread that ftrengtheneth the hearts of 
men. Here is food more fubftanual, durable, and nou- 
rilhing, than Elijah's cake bakcn on th^ coals, an I his 
crufe of water provided for him by the angel; and yet 
it is faid,' he * went in the ftrengih of that meat forty 
« days and forty nights/ until h^ came to Hjreb, ttic 
mount of God, i Ki igs xix. 7, 8. There we find Eli- 
jah twice wakened by the angel, that he might take a 
double meal, < Arife and eat, for thy journey is long i' 
So God may be faying to thde, O ChciCuaLv\-\.tvaiVi»s.'^^ 
arife and eit^ awake O faith, a^aV.^ O 1^\\vl^ji^ ^^^^- 
Ute, thjr'jo'dra^y may oe long v l?^VLi?L '5,^^^^*-^'*^^' 

M a- 



t44 SACRAMENTAL 

know not what hills you have to climb, ^R^iatwindf and 
itorms may blow in thy JFace) before* another ocdafibnof 
thi3 fort: Satan's (torm may blow, and deaths ftom 
may blow; fb that you may not fee another table like this, 
till you come to the mount of God above. Phis fs Chb 
fame bread the glorified faints do feedotiinheaVen. Ghrift 
is the manna that came down from heaven to feed pc- 
rifhing fouls. The Ifraelites' manna was a type of Gfarifti 
and hence called fpiritUai bread, iCor. X..4. 

The manna was ifreelf given to. them> aAd fell cvcfy 
morning round their tents, and all of them were at free- 
dom to gather if, -and there was enough for the whole; 
camp ', fo Chriil is God*s free gift, and in him is a ful- 
nefs of grace Jor the whole belisving wot Id, and every. 
gofpel-hearer is free to gather it, tKo* indeed the morfii-. 
ing of our lives is the moft proper gathering time. 
There was a memorial of this mannaprefervedintbeark, 
fo is tliere^of Chrift in the Lord'sfuppcr, as the £ood of, 
our fouls. — Manna was ground in a mill| or beaten in 
a mortar, and baken in an oven, before it was fit for food | 
fo Chrift was bruifedand ground by his fufferings, and 
fcorched in the firey oven of his Father's wrath, that he 
might become a fit Saviour and fit food for fouls. 

But Chkift crucilied infinitely excels the Ifraelites* 
manna: Theirs was peculiar to themfcives, but Chrift 
is free to both Jews and Gentiles; theirs ceafed when 
they came to Canaan, but ours continues for ever, and 
is enjoyed moft fully in the Canaan above ; theirs only 
preferved a natural life, but ours gives a fpiritaal and 

eternal life. O come then, eat of this heavenly bread, 

when fet before you in plenty, with hunger and defire, 
blefling God for it, faying, < Lord, evermore give U9 
* this bread:' Come with fpiritual appetites and purified 
hearts. The Ifraelites' mann was laid up in the ark, 
and kept in a pure golden pot, to te^ch you to cleanfe 
your hearts from fin and corruption, that they may be 
tit to lodge Jefus Chriil, our heavenly manna. If the 
irJTJs which contain the facramental bread were foul 
or polluted, you if'ould cenfureit^ia mo^\udftettw\.\ Wt. 
njucA more unbccotning is it, to iccvfc^^Oafv^*'^^'^^"^ 



ADVICES. 145^ 

Come to this table with humillt-/, andadeep fenfe ot 
your ill defervings, acknowledging, that the L:aft crumb 
of this bread will be a great mercy to fuchaii unworthy 
creature ! • Truth, Lord, I am a dog,' vile and poilutedf. 
yet the dogs eat of the crumbji which fall from the chil- 
drcns table! ' May I plead for a crumb for thy free 
mercy's fake. Oh, I am unworthy of the comnion bread 
that is fet upon my own table, much more of the hea- 
venly bread that is fet upon thine! lailcad of bread 
thou mayeft give a (lone ; inftead of a fmlie, a frown; 
infteadof the cup of the New TefcamentjtUou mayeft 
put a cup o'f wrath and trembling in my hand ; But thy 
free grace and large offer-, encourage me to wait 
and hope, that * the needy (hall not te forgotten, and 
' the expeflation of the poor (liall not periih.' 

Come with a lively faith to receive and cat^ not only 
- of the bread of life, but alfo to receive the bread, the 
Lord, your Emmanuclin perfon, and make ufe of him 
in all his ofi&ce?. Come eat with love and thaiikfulacfa 
to him that was willing to be beaten, bruited, ground, 
and Icorched, that he might be breid for nouriihing of 
Itarving foiiis. Receive this bread of heaven thankful- 
ly as a diftinguifliing bleffing, which is not graiitedtoall . 
indifferently •, for as God rained down manna trom hea- 
ven upon the Ifraeiites, fo he rained down hre and 
brimftone upon Sodom and Gomorrah. 

advice' v. "" ' 

From GV«. xlv. 4, 

m> m, Come near to me, I wn Jofcph jo«r brother^ whom you 

fold. 

JOSEPH was an eminent typeof Chrift; tho' he wl^ 
hated, fold, and cruelly ufedby his brethren; yet fc<; 
itili loved them, forgave them, aud laid out himieif for 
their prelervation and happincfs. Though Chrift h 
Lord of heaven and earth, yet, O believing conincvavJ.- 
cant8» he owns himfelf a> your biotVx^t ^^ >aow^ c^l ^o>\n 
' bone, aad iSeih oi your flclh •» na^ > tve \* tio\. •j.v>cwxv>A^i.^ 
to cW you bretticrcn^ • go tell my t>itx.Vvx^^v 'ialv^^^^'^' 
Mar/, Mattb. ^xxrHL 10. ThougVv ^omXj'S ^xw^^^^' 

1% /■• 



f46 SACRAMENTAL ' 

]otv^, and Chrid hxglJy raifedi yet his exalutkmdodb 
not caufe him forget his poor friends b^low ; he ftiS 
owns them as his birethem. He is indeed the eldcrbnk 
ther, and . heir of atl thifig*;, yet he is pleafed to adop^ 
his younger brethren into his right, and ndake them joint 
heirs wi rh him of the inheritance abovel As Jofeon vas • 
moft condefcending tohispoor brethren, tho'he waa Ifsrd 
over all the land; fois ChrMl. As they didnot-knov 
Jofeph, until he told them, I am Jofeph yojur brdther; 
{o neither do we know Chrift, until he difcover himfdl 

' to us. As jQfeph feemed to deal roughly with hit bre* 
thren at firft, to make them remember the injuries they 
did him ; yet in the mean time he loved them, gavt 
them food, and . afterwards fpoke kindly to theia^: tfor. 
Clirifl at fird takes ways to humble his people, and niakc- 
them fcnGble of thieir fin ; yet at the fame time he fe- 
cretly fupports them, and at length brings in confolair 
tion to chem, faying < I am Jefus your brother, it is I, 
< be not afrsiid/ Come near to me|. fald Jofeph in a 
kind and familiar way to his brethren ; £0 Chrift 
faith to you, draw near to me with a fincere heart, and 
I will manifcil myfelf unto you, as a loving brother. 

But if you would have the gracious intimations of 
his favour, you mull firft be humbled for tlie wrongs 
you have done him. You have dealt treacheroufty and 
inhumanly with Chrift, as Jacob's fons did with their 
brother Jofeph I Thcfe fold their brother for twenty 
pieces of filver^ but, ah ! have not fome ofyou fold Jefus,. 
your brother, for lefs, even for fome vile lult or filthy 
pleafure? Nay^ have you not murdered him by. your 
fins ? As Cain flew his innocent brother openly in the 
field; fo your fins have openly nailed Jefus to the crofs, 
in the fieldj without Jerufalem, and fhed his blood like 
water on the ground. O how can you anfwcf for fuch 
horrid cruelty to your, innocent brother ? How can you 
look liim in the face, after all you have done ag<iinft 
him ? What feeling have you of the iyjiinta you have 
done him ? Artyow deeply humfeled, and heartily grieved 

for them ^ Then I have good ii-Wn to uW.^om, ^j^uV^^r; 
to do with a mod loving andioigvVmg^axoxUw \ ^^^^ 



ADVICES. 147" ' 

you have betrayed him, fold him, wounded him, murdered 
nim; yet he is willing to forget and forgive all to the hum- 
ble penitent : * Come near to me/ faith he, * I am Jofcph 
« your brother,' ftand not at a diftance, but come near 
me by faith and prayer, embrace me in the facramentt . 
and I will give you a fealcd pardon of all your crimes; , 
I will give you all the good things of lUc land, far ex- 
celling the richeft fruits of Egypt, ev<*n my own body 
and blood, with all t!ie fpirltual and eternal blcilijigs 
purchafed thereby 

ObjeB, But alas ! I have dealt fo bafely and treacher- 
onfly with my brother Jofeph, I have no confidence to 
go and meet him, I am afraid he frown on me. Anjho* 
. He has indeed good ground to do' it, but he is full of 
bowels, tendernefs, and pity to penitents, and molt r^a- - 
dy to forgive. Let me advife you to imitate Jacob 
-when going to meet his brother £fau, whofe wrath he 
very m-uch dreaded : He carried prefcnts along with 
J)im to hia brother. In like manner do you take pre- 
. feats along with you, fuch as, i. A broken, contrite, 
and humbled heart, * a broken he^t he will uot defpife/ 
— 2. Take faith with you, and the ftronger it is, it will 
be the more agreeable prefcntto Chriil; put a fir.ia 
truft and confidence in his blood and bowels, bode and 
threap kiadnefs on him, like the woman of Canaan, 

* Truth, Lord, lama dog,' but, dog as i am, I may plead 
for a crumb, feeing t.y faithful word warrants ma to 
do it; this prefent from tiiat poor creature was io aCt- 
pcptablc to Chrift, that h*e immediately anfwered, < O 

« woman, great is thy faith; be it unto thee even as thou . 

* wilt,' Matth. xvi 28.-3, ^'^^ with you a firm pur- 
pofe and refolutioH, in the ftrength ot your brother, 
not to betray or wound him any more, and feal a cove- 
nant with him upon thefe terms. — 4. lake with you a 
fmcere hcait. and purpofe of imitating your brother, and 
ftu.d)mg conformity to hLn. * L^arn of me,' fa;th he, 
<for lam meek and lowly in heart.' Thefe prefenu 
urould be moft acceptable to your gc■\ft\c<^^^^ o^c^^^^ 
brother. Bat feeing you have uot\vvT\^ ^ii >jo>^x ^^«\^ 

crjr,, Lord, give them firftto ine,auAV\Voft« \.^^s««v>^^ 
to thee. 



148 SACRAMENTAL ^ 

W^hat conderrndon is this, that Chrift, the Kitigtii 
kincrs* fhould fay to all believers, Te are my brethtea 
and fifters I Who would not defire to fund in this hon- 
ourable relation to an earthly king, and far more to the 
King of Glory ! ^Vould we have hihi then fortmr brch 
ther to own us, fuccour and fympathife with m in all 
our troirbies, l«t us forthwith embrace and cfofe with 
hhn by faith, as he is tendered' tp us in the/rich, ^'^3 
an J^ free ofR^rs of the gofpel, and then the relation is 
prelently made up. O ho»Ji^ inviting and alluring is that 
word, i am Jcfus your brother ! It (hould conquer the 
moil ftubbdrn will, and make every unbelieving heatttai 
receive him like Thomas, an;d fay, * My Lord, and mj 
•God/ 

Let every believer in diftrefs come like the bee, and 
fuck.honey from this flower, I am Jefus, your brother ) 
* Be not afraid, it is I.' Do not miftake me for an ene*' 
my in -.any of my dealings with you ; it is I your bro« 
ther, that means you no harm. It is I that loves you, 
. and laid down my Hfe for you ; it is I, who by my 
blood purchafed fandlided afHlctions to you, to. work 
for your good. It is I that doth all things well, 
and have infinite wifdom and love to or:^er and diredt 
every difpenfatiori for your inbercft and benefit. It- 
was i that fwate blood for you in the garden, \5^as fpit 
on and buffeted in the High Prieft's hall, and nailed 
for you to the crofs, and ail to purchafe eternal happi- 
nefs and glory for my itfflidled brethren. 1 am Jefus 
your brother, * Behold my hands and my. feet.' It is I 
that died and rofe again for you, and have afcended to' 
my Father and your Father, to my God and your God; 
and have gone up to prepare a place for you. It is I 
that fit at the helm,. and have all power given to me. 
It is I that am faithful and true, I have- the fame tender 
heart and yearning bawels for you 1 had on earth. It 
is I that never failed any that trufted in me. It is Je- 
fus you¥ brother who am ftill the lame yefterday, to- 
dsj\ and for even* Be not afraid in trouble, it is I your 
dear friend and brother •, covtie ucm; to m^'vwv^cv^ '^'m\^ 
\'CX€rcife of faith. Come ue^t ^w4 c\oi^ v> m^ -^x m^ 



ADVICES. J42 

table, and take a narrow look to my five big wounds^, 
and draw confolation from them. Behold the two 
wounds in my hands, and the two wounds in my feet, 
which were made to bring you back from hell to hea- 
ven. Behold a fifth wound in my (ide, and look into 
my heart, and fee it panting with love, and do not 
queftion your brotl>er*8 love to ybCi any more. 

"^ aId V 1 C E VL ~~ 

From Matih. xxii. 2. 
j1 certain king made a marraige for his fan, 

THE go fpel- covenant, or covenant of grace, 16 * 
marriage covenant betwixt Chrift and believers ; 
a furprifmg marriage this is, "and yet a marriage of God's 
, making. Wonderful! The great God is content to 
give his dear Son in marriage to fallen Adam's daugh- 
ter, that was become a Have to the devil ! Tea, he hath 
drawn up the contrad:, and )ill the articles of it. Chrift 
the bridegroom hath cheerfully fubfcribed the coiltra£t;, 
he dipt the pen in Jiis own blood 4>n the crof8,and put 
his hand to it in the view of God, angels, men, and all 
the world. Now the bridegroom wants your confeat 
to the marriage contraQ, and he hath long been cQurt- 
ing you to fubfcribe it : Some of you have often bscn 
purpofed to do it, yea, taken the pen in your hand, but, 
upon fome fmall temptation, havp ftopt and thrown by 
the pen. This day Chrift hatk fet a tryft with you to 
concluJ.e the bargain, and^is ambaflddors are come, in 
his name, to fprcad the contraft before you with all its 
articles. Well then, « Will you go with this man?' 
W^ill you put your hand to the contrail ? 

O finners, you have no reafon to be (liy in this mat- 
ter, you have nothing to be vain of, you are mean borui 
of low cxtradl \ you are lothfome lepers, you are deform- 
ed,.blsck, andhavcnoteauty; you are cripples, cannot 
walk, unlefs Chrilt lift you ; you arc drowned in debt, 
many old f^oreshiith Chrift to clear for you, if he match 
with you. O who would make love to CmcVv^ hi\^\.Oca.^ 
creature I Yet, behold, here is one t\v2X'\^ ij^w^x x^sx^xv 
"2^ fane of men, .of the bloodtroyaA oi\vevi^ti^^^^^^^^^'^ 




»5« SACRAMENTAL 

all things, courting you! Beaftonifhed, O^i^ha^eiitt^it 
this miLtciiJ One infinitely rich, with a I>cgg3ir» the Mr 
of heaven with the heir of hell, the i>eau4y..<arbeav0l 
and earth with a deformed negro i. hot ifthebidif* 
groom be content, why (hould you (lick.? Qan jou ghpt 
any reafoh for your r^fufal or delay I Now the*Oodi( 
heaven is fetting tryft with you to conclude tbiibllflid: 
bargain with you at his table, and calling you tHete4o 
lign and feal a marriage contra^ with his Son, aiyitBat 
bcfcre all the perfons of the glorious. Trinity, beiim- 
the eledl angels, before Chriil's ambafiadors, and b^ 
fore all the congregation, witpefTes thereto* .- Thekil'. 
have been many meetings heretofore, about this'gidrtrf 
affair, to no efFe£l: The world, Satan, and the lipft* 
have formerly brokt ofF the treaty (. forbid ir^ L^^t 
that they dp it this day. O that the long fyo\€ of 
match betwixt acrucifiedjefus and loft fouls may. hold 
at laft. This may be the lafi tryft, the 4alt txSRsr Chrift 
'will make^ it may be now or never with you. taf 
your hand to your heart then, and confidcr well before 
you rcfufe. ' 

Come take smother view of this beautiful bridegroom 
that is in your offer. Behold how delicate his com- 
plexion is, « He is white and ruddy;' White in regard. 
of his innocence, ruddy iti his bloody paffion. O^hoW ' 
peerlefs is his perfon ! how raviihing his beauty; ^ 
how charming his voice ! how (lately his goings'! how . 
fragrant his garments I They fmell of aloes, myrrh, and i 
caffia ! Search all the world, yoa cannot find his equal. 
One glimpfe of him is enough to ravilh men and angels: 

* His locks are black and bufliy as the raven, hi$ lips 

* are like lilies dropping fweet fnielling myrrh, his legs 

* as pillars of marble fct upon fcokets of fme gold, his 

* countenance is as Lebanon, ex.ci|jilein as the cedirs; 

* yea, he is alfogether lovely !' ^f^^^an you rcf jfefucH , 
a lovely perfon, cfpecially wKjeti'. you ihiuk how he 
loved you, fo as to fuffv^r a cruel and. bloody death for 
you, and to fend his portraiture wit!i the qrxirks of his 
wuunds to fac* put in yout \\at\d^ ^^ Vi\^ VvqI^ tible, and 

aJl to win your heart I Come V\^v?,>Tvit^^'^^'o^*'t^^s«^ 



ADVICES. 151 

many wourrds he recieved for you by the thorns whfch 
pierced his head, by the pincers that plucked h'is hair, by 
the fcourges that tore his back, by the nails that pierced 
his h^nds and feet, and by thei fpear that opened his 
fide ! Surely thefe wounds do not mar his beauty te 
the eye of faith; nay, though he be all over woun'ed, 
mangled, and bleeding, yet to a believer he is (till 

* white and ruddy, the chitfcft among ten thoufand, 

* fairer than all the fons of men,* nay, and all the Tons of 
God too. 

Certainly the bridegroom mud be in earneft, when 
he comes in his marri.ige robes tb win back ^A^ard hearts, 
when he pu^s on his dyed garments, and is red in his 
apparel ; . when he difplays his glory, brings the mar- 
riage contract in his hind, fpreads it on the commu- 
nion table, and calls all who love him to fi^-n it. O 
that many were made viliing, in a day of his power, 
to ' go into .all the articles of this marriage covenant, 
faying. My heart is now content to go with the man 
ChriR, that •> onderful man ^ 1 confent to all his terms, 
he is, * My Lord and my God,' my glorious E.xjma- 
nuel ', * my beloved is mine and I a-n his.' ^^^A. I 
would know particulary what he requires on -ny part 
of .the contra6l, that I may diliindlly clofe with him ? 
jifif, lie would Iiave you i. Convinced of your finking 
and pcriihing itate, while you (land upon the old buttonx 
of the covenant of works, and willing to leave it, indleap 
from it, and cleave to a covenant of grace, and a bor- 
rowed ri^hteoufnefs for ail the ground oi your hope. — 2. 
He would have you humbled and grieved for your long 
flighting his kind ufll^rs by your unbelief, and for your, 
preferring Satan's drudgery eo his fcrvice. — 3, Give up 
with ail other lovers, and mofe that would rival it with 
Chrilt, fach as lin, the world, and the law, kll-righ-< 
teoufntfs mullbe renounccidandparted wim j youmuft 
break league with all Chrili's eiiemicjj.^4. Accep: of 
Jtfus Chrilt as your hulband, rev-v'ive hnn ia aii his of- 
ticcB, reit and dvpend on iiim alouc foi x\^cvx^ci>iJvtv^v?^v 
ttxmgth, a/;d /aivatijn.— 5. Give aw9i^| ^jomc^^vn^'^^^^^^ 
md body to Chrilt, refign youc v/\V\ \o\v\^ ^^^^'^^^^ 




152 SACRAMENTAL 

fatrender all you ha?e to his difpofal,^ — 6. Refalve : 
▼ow in Chrid's ftrength^ to crucify fin, ind wallc 
with iiim in all the ways of new ^obedience*— y, 
' Engage to be true and faithful to foiif huiband, anil 
Wverto retraO. — 8. Keep up the remembrance of ^our 
hufbahd's coming at the iafi day to fol^nize the n^sf- 
riage» and take you home to himfelf» and be alwayf In 
readinefs to go ^orth to meet hhn. Thje bridegroom 
id ready long.fifnce, and will fopn rend thefe clouds to 
meet you in the air, and fend his angels to bring yc^u 
|ip to him^ • Therefore, be yje alfo ready ** 

O why' doth fie delay his cominc? Wfiat Hope the 
wheels of his chariot? Surely his not Decaufcheis unrea- 
dy*. -but becaufe your ate not.ready. AJJ the ele£l are 
li«t yet brought in to him, ahd he is determined not ep 
want one of them. O' then be provididg for the mar- 
riage-day all proper furniture,jewels> robes; rings, anA 
tQfanments, againft the tim^ thatChrift and .yon take lipE 
houfe together in hearen. Be lure to go to Qhiii\ for 
every bit of your plenifliing, for righteoufnefs, and for' 
all the gracts of the Spirit.— In the ifiean time, take 
home with you the marriage contraft, the precious pro-< 
miies which Chrift hath fubfcribed with his blood. Be 
often looking into it^ and viewing your bridegroom's 
hand-writ and engagement. His writing is fair and: 
beautiful^ l^et not Sutati nor unbelief cait blots upon it 
to deface it*, keep it fair and legible, and draw all your 
comforts from it j your hufband is faithful, and will 
keep his word. 

A D V 1 c £ vri. """ 

From Lam, i. 12. 
Behold und fee^ the. Lord hath affliBed me in the day of bis 

fierce anger, 
W 1 ITH far better '^ound may Chritt make ufc'of • 
V V thefe words of his Church, and call us to behold 
his fufFeringf for us under the fierce anger of God; in 
the cay when * it pkaCcd tbt Lord t<? bruife him, and 
f put him to grief in oux V\e^d^ \UA\vu\q,Ww\ 



ADVICES, isi 

things did he fufFer from men and devils 5^ but his af- 
fli£lion8 and bruifes from the immediate hand of God, 
taking vengeance for the eledl's fins, were far more hea-« 
vy. His foul fufFerings were the mod affliaing of all • 
others. Let every communicant behold, fee, and con- 
(ider thefe with fuitable affectionft. 

Behold not only the bufFetings, fcourgings, wound- 
ings, and cruel mockings your lovely Jefus endured 
from men, the inftruments of God^s juftice ; but efpe- 
cially what he fufFered in his foul by the defertion or 
dereli Aion of God the Father, whereby the gracious in- 
fluences and comforts from the divine to the human 
nature of Chrilt were fufpended for a time, and a black 
cloud of wrath overwhelmed him, fd that no light ap* 
^Ipeared to him; which made him cry out, * My God, 

* my God, why haft thou farf^ken me?' — Nay, at thia 
time he had a torrent of wrath flowing in upon his foul, 
and the moft dreadful irapreffions of his Father's anger^ 
and the law's curfe, which fell upon him for man's fin, 
when he was made a curfe for us, which caft him into 
a fit of fore amazement, confternation, and terrible a- 
gbny, and into a fweat of blood. The fire of wrath 
raging in his foulafFedled his body fo, that it dried up his 
ftrengthand moifture as a potfherd, and made his tongue 
cleave to his jaws. He held his peace under all his fuf- 
ferings from men, and opened not his mouth; but . 
when God's immediate wrath fell heavily on him, then 
he cried out. It is faid, * He put up prayers andfup- 

• plications, with ftrong crying and tears,' Heb. v. 7, 
Yet God would notfpare him, nor abate him one (trips 
or farthing of the debt 5 let him cry never fo loud, juftice 
was inexorable ; he muft fatisfy to the fujl* 

O can you fee the great Emmanuel fubftitute in your 
room or Itead ; God ading againft him as an inexora- 
ble Judge ; Jehovah running uftpn him as a giant, not 
only withdrawing his countenance, and all feeling of his 
loving kindnefs from him, but making him the butt of his 
envenomed arrows, and not be filled with. ^dvmx^x\si^ 
atChrift'slove, aiyl forrow for your V\us,\v\\\QX\\i\vi^^'^ 
fuch 9 itorm of, w/ath upon him\— OVo^ l-ai^^<^^ 
• ■ N 



" 1 1 

354 SACRAMENTAL ^ 

thebruifes! How deep were the wcunds! Howwidethe 
gaflies ! and how heavy the blows he got from the 
fword of juftice for our fins? The fword was not dull 
• or fleepy, but furbiflied and awakened by Juftice to the 

execution. Ohow heavy were the blows our furety 

got from this awakened fword in the garden of Gethfc- 
xnzne, which made his * foul exceeding forrowful,* and 
put Jiim in a dreadful agony and bloody fweat f—— 
Beheld and fee how patiently he drank the bitter cup of 
Gcd'c wrath for you, * the poifon whereof drank up 

* his fpirits,' r.nd made his blood to boil in his veinSi 
and buril through his body, clothes and all! He fwate 
without any outward fire and heat, and bled without 

any external wound! Behold his garments dyed red, 

and the ground and grafs where he lay all bedewed 
with his precious blood I— ^ Behold him broken with 
breach upon breach^ till all the fea billows of divine 
vengeance went over him, fo that he fell to the ground, 
was covered with blood, and overwhelmed with wrath! 
BeholJ ar.d fee, if there be any forrowlikc his forrows! 

It is faid, Mark xiv. 33. * He began to be fore ama- 

* zed and very heavy !' Which fliows what a load and 
prellure of wrath his foul lay under, that put him in an 
agony that ftill increafcd more and more, like the wa- 
ters in Ezekiel's vifion, ftill deeper and deeper, from 
the ancles to the knees, till tliey became waters to 
fwim in, yea, fwcUed into an ocean that would have p- 
verwheln-.ed the whole t\ei\ world. Into this ocean 
our bltirtd Jonah' w>^,8 willing to be thrown for our 
fake, and in it he continued to fwim until he brought 

every ciecl: foul lafeafhcre. It is recorded of Abraham 

wlien clltTing liis lacrifice. Gen. xv. 12 • That in the 

* evening lo an horror cf great daiknefs fell upon him.' 
This \v^6 verified much UiCre of Chriil in the evening 
before his paflion in the garden: There a terrible hor- 
ror of great darkneln fell upon Chriil's foul, which made 
him exceeding heavy and fore amazed, at the profpeft 
0/ the fed of urath that was coming rolling upon him, 

wJjJJs the Father was lading V.\» i^^ iiQWv hia\, O 
fdO\y grezt was the anguiftv oi QvuW^xswcv^^x xJciwxvcwi.^ 



ADVICES. jss 

v^hen he found himftlf prefled andbruifcd betwixt the 
roilftone of God's jullice and our fins? Which prcf- 
fure ir*adc him fweat without heat, and bleed without 
M'ound ! Ah! the fire, the heat, the wounds were in- 
ward, even in his foul! O communicants behold and 
f^e Chrilt's forrows for you, nothing can be more ac.« 
tffeptable to ChriH tlian often to Jheditate tbireon with 
admiration and love. If any of you had loft a hand, 
or even a finger, in defending or rt?fcuing your friend 
from an enemy, you would expect he would be ever 
mindful of the favour, and never forget you. But O 
what is that to the fufT^rings af the Son of God for you ? 
H^ hath loft not an hand, but his heart blood, yea, the 
favour and countenance of Ood for you for a ti.r»e. He 
left his glorious throne in heaven, and ftooped to be- 
come a man, a poor nun, a man of forrows, a defertcd 
man, and a deail man for you. Nay, he was willing 
to be made a curfe for you, and to take on a dreadful 
load of wrath upon his innocent foul, yea infinitely 
more than any damned foul in hell can bear ; anJ to 
fwim long in a fea of wrath to fave you from periihiiig 
in it. Let the furpriSng love of Chrift Sil jtiur fovl 
with wonder, and kindle a flame of love in your foul- 
to him. 

Again, meditite on Chrift's forrows, with deep for- 
row for fm, the caufe thereof. Believe that amazing 
word, ^fa. liii. 6. ' He was wounded for our tranfgref- 
' fion/, he was bruifed for our iniquities.' Let the 
found of it never go out of thy cars; fay. Oh! my fins 
were the thorns which pierced his head, the naih which 
pierced his hands, and the fpear which pierced liis Cide. 
My curfed fins put the Lord of lite to a cruel death, 
ihey wounded him more than all his other enemies. 
When ray dear Lord v/as in the garden, no Judas, no 
Pijate, no Jew nor Gentile was there, to caufe his ama ^ 
zing horror of foul, and his fearful fweat of blood; 
bat, Oh! my unbelief, rr.y pride, my carnality, my hy- 
pociify, and other fine wctc ta^iej?i\\4'w"\\.\\\>Kvi.vt ^^ivg^^ 
prcircdhin to the ground, ai\Abxo>3.'^x. Xl^^-^x. '^^V^'^ '^^^^ 



156 SACRAMENTAL 

fweat upon him. Oh, that my head were waters, that 
I might weep a flood of tears for my (ins. 

La/ffy» Abhor fin as the greateft evil, and never have 
flight thoughts of it any morcf^ can you behold youra- 
ffonizing Saviour under a burden of wrath, and hear 
him complaining of the burning heat and third which 
the fire ot juflice created within him I Can you fee the 
great drops of blood (landing above his garments! Can 
you hear his cries and roarings under the bruifes and 
iinguifi) of his foul, and not be covivinced of the evil and 
demerit of (in ! Can that fit light upon your foul which 
fat fo heavy upon Chrift's foul? O what defperate ma- 
lignity mult there be in that, which coirld not be ex- 
piated without fuch a coftly facrifice ! Look on them 
as fools^ who make a fport at fin, which coft the Son'of 
God fo much foul travail and inward horror : Never 
yield any more to the temptations of fin, which coft fo 
dear before it could be forgiven. 

ADVICE vilL 

From Matth. xxvi. 22* 

Ihcy were exceeding forrowful, and began every one tof^y^ 

Lordy is it // 

IT was a commendable exercife of Chrill'^ difciples, 
before partaking of the holy fupper, to be feurching 
themfclvec, and looking inward with a holy fufpicion 
upon their own hearts, tTpeci^lly when Chrill: had told 
ihem, there was a traitor among them, and at the fame 
time locklnpr up to him that is cimiifciint, to aflitl: them 
in the f-arch, faying, Lord, is it ir Am 1 the traitor? 
Will I betray my dear Lord and Saviour? Ah! every one of 
us have within us traitcrons hearts to Jefus Chriit, and 
have reafon to fufpe(fl ourfclves as they did, and ac- 
knowlec^g^ w3 have many enemies of Chrift lodged in 
our boioms, fuch as, unbelief, hypocrify, pride, malice, 
envy, ambition, woildineis, atheifiii, wandering j from 
GoAj backwardnefs to duty, &c. by which we have 
betrayed Jcfus Chrift. — And as t\\^ dvCci^k?, when 
fearchiiig themfdytB^ were excee^m^ ^oitoviWV-, ^^ 
w^At v/e hdorc we partake; Tind g^vioCi t^^^qtiXxic;^ >n^ 



ADVICES. isi^ 

for it, whea v/e ren«i<fl: upon our fci'iiier guilt and trea* 
cherous dealing with God, and when we confider the pre- 
fent deceitfuhiefs, and d:frp2rate wickednefs cf our hearts, 
and that they are as ready to betray Clirid as ever ; yea, 
that there is hypocriiy and treachery in our hearts a- 
gainil Chrifl which we have not yet difcovered. IJp- 
on all which accounts, we have ground with the difci- 
pies to be excccdi-ig forrowfuL 

Now is the time, O communicant^, to fearcli and 
examine yourfelve?, and to b- cxccednig forrowful for 
the many traiterous wounds you have given Chrill b/ 
breakin;^ both tables of il.'e law, and every command 
thereof, by finning againit li^ht and confcience, againft* 
mercic:; a.id judgmeiirs, warnings and reproofs, con i'ef- 
fions zrA prayers, by unthrinkfuLiefs fur redeeming 

■ love, ncgltclir.g gofpeUoutrs, not lovin r and relling 
upon a crucifud Jefuf, not acjour.ting all things lofs 
and dung for hiinj not.deiighlin^ i:i attending his or- 
dinancee, :ir*d in remembering his love in the holy fup- 
per. — O how treacherous have your hearts been tr» 
Ciuift! how blood thirily haife your fins been againit 
him, in prcfiing him down in the garden, in nailing 
him to t!ie curfed tree! How are you able to look to 
Gethlemane or Golgotha, with unconcerned hearts or 
dry eyes I Were not your fins the principal aftors in 
that horrid tragedy? Tnefe, to be fare, v/ere the trai- 
tors, which by the hands of Judas, dilevered up Jefus 
to be crucified: vvhat were PiUte, the Je.vs, or Ro- 
inans, but the executioners of your fins? Who put the 
fjvord in juiiice' hands? Who raifed the tempeli: of 
wrath againit your furety? Oh! it was your fins. 
Blame none fo much as them^ they were the Judas that 
betrayed him, the Herod that mocked him, the Pilate 
that condemned him, and the foldier that pierced him ; 
will you iiot then hi exceeding ibrrowful for your trai- 
terous hearts and bloody lins? Coald they ever be guil-^ 
ty of a more horrid crims than mardering the Lord of 
Giory i O Ihall the rcsck« about J^M\[o\<-a\xv\w\>^\>^\jw- 
der, fAecarrh tremble aiid lila\Le,^ti^tu^\>I«;^^^^^^^^^;;f^^^^ 

tb£ whole iieavcjQs put ou amouiu\u^\v3JovS^"^^^^^'^" 

15 S 



X3S SACRAMENTAL 1 

Uificrcdfor your r.ns r And il.all you, the criminals wbode- 
lervcd a:i ibis puiiilhrr.cnr, itani unzn'eclcd? O what J 
r;:pid hearts mult you have, if they do not mourn for 
\C'url"nf, which brought fuch^agonies upon the Soa 
C'i God| before they could be expiated. Had yoo in ^ 
ycur raflion given a deadly iiound to any poor inno- 
ient man, ycur heart wouJd have bled for it all your ^ 
i)<i%s; and will not your hearrs much more relent for J 
llaiightering the innocent Lsmb of God ! One thatne- 5 
ver wronged you, but was always interpoCng for you,. 1 
ii:d doing you good ! j 

Rcn.tmber what David faid to the Lord, when he l 
i5u- the people deftroyed for his fjn, 2 iSam. xxiv. 17. ■ 
< Lo, 1 h:^ve finned and done wickedly ; but as for thefe 
• i.'.ecp, what have they doner' In like manner fay you, * 
Lc rd, 1 have finned, 1 have done wickedly, but as for { 
.l:is fpotlefs Lan'ib, what hath he done? I have eaten 
ihe four grapes, but his teeth were fcl on edge. O . 
nhcii N^ ill your hearts irelr. and your eyes weep, if not ' 
i:cwl Never were there fuch a moving fight fot before ' 
> cur eye?, as the Lord of Glory pierced and (lain by 
your fins. Now it is, that • deep calleih unto deep/ ' 
tJeep fuiTerings in Chrill, fcrdeep lorrow in thee. 

O fairh one, I dcfire to be grieved for my hypocrify 
;;nd treacherous dealing with Chriit, and for fin that 
crucified him, but how ll.all I know if my forrow be of 
the rigi.t fort? y^n/. Examine it by fuch marks as thefe- 
— I. Godly forrow is acccmpanied with fome view ' 
cf th? mercy ef God in Chriil, which fuppcrts the foul, 
s.nd keeps it frrm ikipair. Ji:dus* forrow, however 

deep it waf, v. ^.r.ted •' is necviVary ingredient. 2. 

if ;ruc, it will ^' -..i»v '',bc:iifor your own fins, and 
t\c fi:if cf others i izT the lins ci the place where you 

live, and for thcfe of the whole land. 3. If it be 

iight fcrroa , it v. iii bring ycu to confider the aggrava- 
tions jnd heinous c ire ui;:li a r.cc^ of your fins, as being 
againil iijzht, agaiiill i:vt:, aiic againtc folem:i engage- 
Mneisis s::J rprofclHci.s cf friendthip^ fo as to r.;ourn 
and crv hew traitorous i.ai\\ wi^ t.c2Lu\ittu\o i^VvwL 
mmaiicr! 4. It willrx^iugc va^^'^^^^^^V'^^^l^^^^ 



i6o SACRAMENTAL 

« man that I am, wjio (hall deliver mc from the body of 
• this death? Rom. vii. 24, 

ADVICE IX. 

From Hd, vL 18. 
- ■ Who kavefisd for r^uge, to lay hold upon the bope/ef 

before us. < ■ 
T T ■ E have here a two-fold defcription of true bclie- 

W vers, wldch come to one: 1. They are fich 

as have fl^-d to Chriit as the true city of refuge, to fliel- 

ter thcit! frpm avcn^'ing juftice. 2. they are fuch 

as have by faiih laid hold on Chriit fet before cheii in 
the gofpel-promife, as their only hope of falration. 

Ctuid is cur refuge-city from the curfos of the law 
which h;\ng over us, from the avenger of blood, divine 
jufticc that purfues us, and from the devils which lie 
in wait for ur. — The cities of refogc under the law 
were fix, but under the gofpel we have one better thaii 
them all. Theirs only proteOed the body from the 
wrath of man, but ours doth protecl both foul and bo- 
idy from the wrath of an angry God. The way to 
it is made plain and patent, pillars are fet up, Chriil's 
miniftcrs to direfk fiuners in the way to it. In this 
blelfed city their is protection, inftrudion, provifion, 
and fulnefs for all that flee to it. Here is all our hope 
of falvation, and it is in vain to hope for fafety any 
where elfe. Now communicants, this blclTed hope is 
fet'beforc you, come lay hold on it, and cleave fall to 
it. Now the city \3 Tet 011 a hili, the way to it prepa- 
red, and the gates open : The gofpel-trumpt founded, 
and proclamaiion made, whofoever lliw-s to the city, 
be his cafe what it will, Ihall in no wife be cad out. 

Under the law, he that faw his danger, and fled to 

the city of refuge, did firmly believe therewas fafety and 

fejurity ror him, by public authority, in that privileged 

pjace, if he could but get into it in time, !jefore the a- 

vcngtT of blood did overtake him : Therefore he ear- 

ne/tly defired to be once wii\un i\ve ^ailes of it^ and for 

tJiat end put forth his utmoft vi^omi m iMtvivv^^. W- ^\\ 

T30t linger, hsiltf npr lit down bj xlv^^^^s xwNii ^^^^V^.'aa. 



ADVICES. i6i 

turn adde to any crooked by-path that might lead him 
about, but kept th^ ftraight and neareft way to the city* 
?*^ the pillarB fet up direded him. No perfuafion of a- 
ny man could make him look or flee to any other city, 
caftle, or hiding place for fafety, but to the city autho- 
rifed by law. In like manner let every convinced fm- 
ner, learn from this to flee toJefusChrill our fafety from 
wrath, as the only refuge appointed by God for him. 
Look, defire, and pant earneCtly to be within the gates. 
O finner, run with fpeed, now the gates are wide open 
in the word and in the facrament. Put forth yourut- 
moil vigour, and cfcape for your life: Do not linger 
nor delay, but flee as one that fees jaftice clofe at your 
heels. Avoid all other flielt^rs and by-ways for relief; 
away with carnal company, finful pleafures, worldly , 
mirth or diverfions: Nay, take no fhelter in your own 
duties a::d performances; b^rlieve that none of thefc 
can fcreen or protecl you from the fword of jutlice, 
and tiiat none elfe can, bat he who is the * Lord our 
< Righteoufnefs/ 

Of old, notliiiig could (lop the man when flying to 
the city of refuge : Had his wife and childem hung^a- 
bout him, or is own heart luggeded to him^ will you 
leave your houfe, yourgardeh, lands, relations, and ina- 
ny accommodation.^, dud g(i to a itrangc city and fpend 
your days? Ilx: would have flung them all irom him, 
and taken flight, faying to wife and cUildrenjbett^r part 
with all things liian part with my life ; if you will not 
fo'Iow nie, I mull leave you all behind. — bo let awak- 
ened fouL flee with fpeed and reiolution toj'^fus Cnrill 
fay to the worlds profits, fms, pled fares, Sar;ia s alhife- 
mcujs, and wiiatever would tempt you to Hay behind, 
* get you hence-,' av^ay with every thing that would hin- 
der me from Chnfl. My Saviour and^my foul aro more 
precious to mo than all the world ; take all thing? from 
me and give me Chriit. How great was Jerome, one 
of the ancient fathers, his love to Chrift.'* How Urong 
was iiib refolution when he faid, * L£ tiv] le^.OcvRX ^^x^ 
' weeping on his knees before me, rcv^ moX^cvt.\ >cv&\\^^^ 
' shout my n^ck behind ii>e, 1x17 btctVvx'ttv^^^^^^^ '^^'^ 



»62 SACRAMKNTAL \ 

• kinsfolkjiiov.'lirg on every fide to retain nie front\ Chrifl, 

• I u'ould caft my mother to the ground, run over my 

• father, and defpifc all my kindered, tread all under 
« my feet, and run to Chrifl * 

• O awakened foul, behold how Chrift difplays his love 
to thee in the facravient, he opens his wounds to be a 
refuge and hiding-place to thee, and calls aloud to thee 
to come and flee in thither, * Turn ye, turn ye, why will 

• ye die?' To whom will ye flee for. help when the a- 
vciiger of blood is at your heels, if you flee not to Chrift 
the ci'iy refuge from wrath? Hills and mountains, fcas 
and depths, heaven and earth, cannot hide thee from 
the ftorm, if Chrift do it not. Now you have a noble 
opportunity, while the clefts of ChriiVs wounds Hand 
open, and the blefll-dhopeis fet before you in the facra- 
n:ent,"and Chrift ftreiching out his hand and waiting 
to fee who will rife and flee to him! O to fee fouls rif- 
irg in flocks, and flying as doves to their windows? 
V. hat a pleafing fight would this be ? 

O iaith oiif, 1 cannot, my wings are dipt, my foul 
cloggv?d, I cannot mount up- yJ if. If you cannct 
mount up as with e^gl^^s v/itigs, Ice if you caii run to 
Chriii, and kneel lu:fc'rtj Lim, like that young man, 
Mark X. 17. — Objt^t. \ find inyKli' fo biirde-ned and hea- 
vy laden, thac 1 cannot run. Anf, rhen ihew a vi!-. 
lingnefb to run ro Ciriit, and cry * draw me, and I will 
run after thee j** even a dciir-i to run will be accepted, 
as of thofe Neh i. ii,^0!-j$c}. Bur, faith one, my heart 

'is ib dead ?.\\i\ iluggiiii,! IiaVc neither ftrength nor will 
to turn to CI 1 rill. A'lf, If you cannot run, then fee if 
you c;-iii bjt gv) towarcis ]\\v.\ ; for wc read in Jer. ii. 2. 
x'hv.fo. wl.o Vv'cnt after lii:ii in the wiideniefs, were ac- 
cet/Lcd ofh.im — Ohjtcl. Ala?, faith one,*'4 am fo weak 
and ft (. bie, I cainio: ^ -. A'if Then endeavour to creep 
and move towards liiiii :is you can — OljcH, But 1 aiii 
lo lamt: and inipotcnt bo;ii in hands and fLtt, that 1 can- 
not ciccti) or move. A^f, If >ou canr.ot move to Chriit, 
then JcC'k to hirx} as ti;e ifracUtes did when iiung v;ii";i 

//err Icrpcnn. Cnritl caWs cvciv k^e)c\i k^vAw^ Cic^V,, 



ADVICES. 163 ' 

« ends of the earth i' and would you have Chrift come 
any lower than a look? O look up to Jefus as lifted up 
upon the pole of the crofs, for all nations to behold him. 
— OhjeB. My eyes are dim, the crofs far off; Jerafai-; 
lem, where it was fet up, is out of fight. Anf, 
The pole of the gofpel and of the facrament, oa. which 
Chrill is now lifted up, is near hand} look up to him 
tUercon, and be fived.— O/yV^f?. Saithone, I am fobur- ' 
.dcncd with guilt, I cannot lift mine eyes. Anf. Then 
lie low before him like the humble publican, who wa« 
fo burdened, that he was aihamed to lift up his eyes to 
heaven, and under a deep fenfeyof his vilenefs cried, 
• God be merciful to me a fmner,' and fo doing was 
accJ'pted: In like manner humble yourfelves before a 
merciful Redeemer, and plead hia promife Matth xi. 
28. Truft his word for eaie and reft to your burdened 
ibul. 

ADVICE xT 
From John iii. 14. 
■ Evenfo mujl the Son of Man be lifted up. 

THE lifting up of the brazen ferpent upon ft pole, 
to heal ferpent-ftung Ifraclitej, was a type of the 
lifting up of Chrift on the crofs, to heal convinced fin- 
crs of their wounds by fin. — As there was but one bra- 
zen ftrpent for healing the whole camp of Ifrae], fo 
Chrift crucified is the only remedy and Saviour for a 

loft world. He n:uft be lifted up; his dying on the 

crofs was neceflary to fulfil his engagements, from eter- 
nity to be our furety; he muft be oiiered.up as a facri- 
fice to fatisfy divine juftice for the fins of men, feeing 
nothing elfe could do it. Though Chrifti*s engagement 
to futFer for us was entirely voluntary at firft, yet hav- 
ing once undertaken, it became neceflary for him to be 
liited up'. And glory to him that .ould not go back 
flrom his word, however great his fufFerings were. 

Come then, O communicants, behold and confider, 
with fuitable thoughts and aflPedlions^ your lif^^4.>x^ V- 
fus c?;^in^ on the crofs. After he \\^ii>aotw^ x^cv^V^'^'^ 
crofs on his bleeding {hQ}jXA^x%v:^^<^^vX^'i^^\<^^^ 



- 164 SACRAMENTAL 

crofs muft next bear him upon the top of the Mounf| 
being firft nailed to it, and lifted up with it. — Comei 
fee how this was done ; Behold the crofs-tree laid down 
upon the ground^ and- the Lord Jefus flript naked, laid 
on his back, with hands and feet (Iretched out upon 
the tree, that they might take the mcafurc of his body, 
and mark the holes for the nails! and lo, they take the 
meafure longe> than the truth, that they might bocl^ 
crucify and rack him at once, till his bjnes (hould go 
out of joint: So the crofs was a rack as well as a death. 
—Our iirft parents (Iretched forth their guiltv hands 
to take the forbidden fruit from the tree, therefore our 
glorious Saviour did willingly ilretch forth his innocent 
hands to be nailed to the tree, to fatisfy for their guilt. 
■ Come fee four big nails driven into his hands and 
feet, the molt finewy and fenfible parts of his body, 
and faflienedto the tree ; apply your ear, and hear the hu 
deous found of the hammers knocking in thefe nails! 
Ob, your (ins were the hammers that did it, mourn for 
them. 

Come next and fee the Lord of Glory, when nailed 
faft to the tree, lifted up with it on high, and made to 
(land upright to the view of all the world ! And then 
the foot of the tree let fall down with violence into the 
deep hole they had digged to faften it, which fall did 
unfpeakably increafe his torments, and rend the four 
wounds made by the nails. Thus his own weight be- 
came his torture, dill widening the wounds more and 
more, till all his precious blood itreamed out at them. — 
Behold your greaf Emmanuel lifted up on a crofs, be- 
twixt heaven and earth, as if he had been unworthy of 
a place in either, hanging betwixt too thieves, as if he 
had been the grcat;ifl n^alefaclor of the three! O what 
a fpedlacle was your Redeemer both to heaven and earth 
when thus lifted up! An adonifhment to Angels! A 
derifion to the vvickcd! CompuncUon to believeis! but 
a facriiice acceptable to the juJticc of his eternal Father I 
— Look on this nioving fpcdlacle with deep forrow for 
/In that fddensdhim to the tiee^-and miid^ i\\tr. hang on 
iAefctormcntiv-jr n ails for fe\ei'a\\\out^ \\\\NrwCiMX. ^vycvAt;A\. 



ADVICES. 165 

inward or outward! No way could he turn foreafe, be* 
ing fixed to the tree ; If he ftirrcd his bicffed body at 
all, he was tormented afrcfli by the wounds of his handa 
and his feet, on which the whole weight of his body did 
hang ; if he had moved his head, which had the crown 
of thorns on it, the thornfi would but pierce into it 
the deeper; yet for all this he complained not; no (igh 
or groan was heard from him, but what he offered up 
to God for your fins! 

When the Son of Man was thus lifted up, obfervc 
how the ftrcams of his precious blood run down to the 
ground, and (tood in a little pool at the foot of the crofs, 
until the earth drank it up. Let this fight afFeft your 
hearts, and open all the fprings of forrow for fin that 
pierced him. Sit down at the foot of the crofs, and re- 
ceive this facred blood, as it fall^^, upon your hard hearts; 
let it drop on them, until it make them as foft as the 
ground it fell on. I^t it drop on all the fores and 
wounds of your fouls, for it is the balm that mud heal 
them. — Obferve alfo, the great extent ot Chrift'G fuf- 
ferings at this time, they reached to all the parts of his 
body, and to all the powers of his foul: He fuffcred in 
all his fenfes; his feeing, with the fcornful gestures of 
his enemies; his hearing, with their fcofFs and blafphe- 
inics; his fmell, with the noifome ilcnch of Golgotha; 
his tafte, with gall and vinegar; hi$ feeling, ^^th the 
piercing nails and thorns. Behold his hands, that were 
ftill bellowing bleffings, now fixed with nails ; his feet 
that walked in God's waysj now digged through ; his 
bowels, that yearned for linners, now (liruiik and dried 
up ', his lips, that fpoke a^ never man ipoke, now fwoU 
len with blows. Now he fuffered on the crofs till * his 
* ftrength was dried up hke a potlherd, and his tongue 
« cleaved to his jaws/ the fire of God's wrath fcoiched 
him inwardly, which made him cry out, * 1 thirft.' 
His enemies mingled, at this time, a cup ot vinegar and 
gall to him, which he jrefuicdj but, glory feo him, he 
refufed not the cup which his Fuhet vtvvw^*^^ \.ci\\vv:cv^ 
tliow^h Elled with wrath and curtw. TWv.Vv'i vV;;xv^i. ^'^^ 
us^ though it fii/ed his whol^ louV mxtv ^u^vlvOsn^ '^'^^ 

O 



iC6 SACRAMENTAL * 

niaile Mm rrr^r and corrplain ofhis Father's defertinS' 
fiim : The arrows of the AI'iM>»hfy were within him, 
the poiion whereof drank up his fpirit. Amidft thcfc 
fearfU fufTi-rings, our lifted up Jefus expired, willingly 
cH'crii.g up hin»felf, on the crofs, a propitiatory facri- 
fice for us. 

O believers, dV Chrift lift up himfelf ns a willing fi- 
crificc for you on the crofs ? fee then to lift up the gates 
cf your fouls to receive in this Saviour; let him have a 
joyful welccme into ycur fouls, and give him the bcft 
entertainment, the bert afFedlions, and the bcft fcrvicc. 

Did he willingly flretcb out his arms to be nailed to 

the crofs for you ? Then be not unwilling to ftretch 
out the arms of faith to embrace him j but fee to em- 
brace him wholly in all his offices, of prophet, prieft, 
and king; be willing to be taught, faved, and ruled by 
him. Was Chriil lifted up on the crofs (as the brazen 
ferpent was lifted up in the wildernefs) for healing all 
flings and wounds given us by fin and Satan ? O then 
look up to him with the eye of faith for healing. This 
13 the great remedy of God's contriving and providing, 
put Ih^ng confitience in it, and look to it with hope 
and expe(flation: Never miflruft the virtue of God's 
remedy, nor defpair of healing from it, ho^^xver deep 
\oar (lings, cr large your wounds be: For Chriit was 
lificil up ^o be a remedy for the chief of tinners, i 
Tir.K i- IS * ?mdnoue ever periflied that looked to him/ 

V^'a? Chriil viiling to be lifted up to fuffer for you? 

Then let your hearts be lifted up to ferve and obey him, 
like Kin^ jehoQiaphat, whofc heart was lifted up in 
t;:c ways or the Lord, 2 Chron. xvii. 6. Lift up your 
hcaiL v/iti. ^. urvuice in liis pr-iifej fpeak of the glori- 
ous honour of hii. Majefty, and make known his migh- 
ty a:tc.: Obt^y his commands, and particularly his dy- 
v.vr cor. inr"C?-, ro ren^cmber hii'^ at his table, with afli- 
viiy '.uid (l.r'i];lit: Go with lifted up hearts to a com- 
r.uiriic'i table, to remember him, thiif went fo willing- 
Jy to be lif'^^'d I p on a blcody c:ois :'ur you. Thean- 
cieiit exhortatiou :o con\u\M\\\c2^\\ts wasSuRSUM Cor- 
T> 4 ' Lift up your he?kiu ilo isvtCv m^ti l^&r^m^ \> 



ADVICES. 167. 

ADVICE XI^ 

Froai Exod.xiv. i^. 
Speal unto the Coi/dren r^lfrael, that they go for war J,' 
'"r^HlS is the anfwer of Mofes's prayer for Ifrael 
Jl v/hen in a great llrait at the Red-fea. If is faid, 
-he cried to God, yet we readnot of one word he fpake 
He only lifruplii. heart to God, who well underilands' 
the language of the heart. Mofes's fi lent prayers of 
faith prevailed more with God, than Ifrael's loud out- 
cries of fear. A believing communicant may, in a 
flrait, cry to God. in prayer, without fpeaking a word, 
fo did Mofes here for fainting Ifrael. VV^hen they came 
out of the land of bondage, and fl^d from Pharaoh's 
tjrranny, the Lord ordered them to march toward the 
fca; but now when they are near to it, and fee Pha- 
raoh's mighty army purfuing, and clofe at their heels, 
thty are in a great (Irait what courfe to take; they 
think certainly they muft turn cither to the right or 
left hand to mak^ their efcape from Pharaoh ; no 
faith Godj fpeak to them to go (liii forward, as ftraight 
towards the fea, as if they faw a fleet of tranfport (hips 
there waiting to take them in, O ! might they think, 
' i his is a hard command, ^o forward, when we fee 
^ nothing but the deep devouring fea before us ; a^ good 
^ go back to the Egyptians, or (land llill until they come 

* up, and put us to the fword, as go fojward into the 

* fea, and. be drowned: Will the deep fea have any 
•more mercy on us than the cruel Egytians/ — Bur, 
faith the Lord, make no objidiions, alk no q-ieftions,. 
let the people go forward, obey rny command, and truft 
me with their lives. 

Obferve here, U timorous communicant, O doubt* 
ing believer, when you are in f<:ars and ftraits with re- 
fpedl to the management or fucccfs of your duty, you 
arc to fet yourfclves to obey God's command, go for- 
ward in the ufe of means, with a (incere he^rt, and 
leave the event to God. You may poflihl^^ 'ix%!c:>s» 
time, be brought to the (ItaitcuVtv^ c^J^ «A x^nr. Okv^^x^^ 
of Ifrad, when at the brink ol\\\&'S^ft^-^^"^^^^'^^'^'* 

O a 



i68 SACRAMENTAL 

hearts in great perplexity, read/ to fink within them 
for fear. Some may be faying within themfclves, how 
{hall fuch a vile black un'.vorthy creature go forward 
to the Rtd-fea of Chrift's bloody who have both fpilt it 
znd dcrfpifed it? How (hall I, after all venture to go 
for«'ard, to wafli or bathe my unclean foul in it? Well, 
it is God's plain command to you to go forvtr^rd to it, 
however heavy laden you be with guilt, fee x John iii.a3. 
Matth. xi. 28. John i. 29. others as vile -and black have 
obeyed his command, have gone forward to this Red- 
fea, and been wafhed in it^ fee i Cor. vi. 9^ 10, 1 1. yea, 
we ready A£ls ii. 36. ofthrecthoufandofthofe who actual- 
ly embrudtd their hands in this blood, who were wafh- 
ed by it. How wonderful is its virtue! It is able 
to take away the fins of a whole world, and much more 
the fins of a few ; therefore do not, O finner, rebel a- 
gainil God's command any longer. 

Again^ confider what is God's fpecial cammand to 
thee at this time, namely, * Do this in remembrance of 

* me-,' his precept is plain and exprefs to keep up the memo- 
ry of his lovt to loft men. Can you think to look on 
his face with comfort at the lall day, if you have no 
plcafure to remember him now: Surely hisprefeiice will 
be terrible then to thofe, to whom his memory is not 

, delightful now. But you may have ftraiis and dilHcul- 
ties about this duty. O, faith one, « My Itrait is great, 

< I know not wiiat to do; wliether to (lay back from 

* Goirs holy tabic, or go forward: If 1 itay bacic, I 

* diiobcy my dying Saviour's conimand, to (hew forth 

* liisdcaih in this maiincr: If I go for^^ard unworthily, I 

* contr;id the guilt of his body and blood, and eat and 

< drink my own damnation. Alas, what (hall I do? my 
« need of Ciiriil and his blood is [o great, I cannot think 
« of ria)ing oack; and yec rny preparation is fo little,! 

* know not hv^w to j<o forward. — Ah, my un\vorthint,fs 
« is great, how fliall i go to the tabic of fo great a King 
« in the ilate and Ciilc i a.n in, fo vile, 10 iu)fui, fo la- 
^ clj'fpofcdy fo hard-hearted? If the wo nan^tJut had ihc 

^ blood) hlijc fe*'.Ted fo much 10 cov!^c ,xu<\ \.umc\\ u\e. 
^yjcw o/Chnit'$ garment, how tn'ac\\taoi^tcv;v>i V^^\\^ 



ADVICES. 169 

'am full of the running iffiies of fin, fear to go forward 

< to touch thc.facred fymbols of his body and blood, and 
•put my hand into his wounds, and feci the print of 

* the nails?' Come then, unworthy as you are, obey 
Chrift's command, and venture your foul in his hand: 
Go forward with all the preparation you can attain to, 
deeply fenfible of your own vilenefs, and humbled for 
yoiir (hort-comings, truding in the worthinefs of the 
Lamb that was (lain to anfwer for your unwortbinefs, 
in his blood to waih away your pollution, and in his 
ftrength to help your wcaknefs. Venture forward^ 
faying, like JehoQiaphat, * Lord, I have no ability » no 

* might for this great ordinance, neither know I what 

< to do ; but my eyes are unto thee, it is in thy name, .* ^ 

* in thy ftrength, and at thy command, that I go forward - 
<to remember a dying Jefus at his holy tabic. Lord, 

< put on me the wedding garment, prepare, receivci and 

* welcome me/ 

O^V/7. Some may fay, they are only, the children of 
Ifrael, who, in the text> are bid go forward ^ and we are. : 
afraid we are none of thftk.^^Arr/fv. All are bidden, 
without exoeption,^ come to Chriii-, yea, even the ftout- 
hearted are called to go to him. Naw, if you come to . 
Chrifl, it will be .a furc proof of your being Ifracl's 
children, and among thofe who are bid go forward. 
Miniiters indeed have a fpecial commiflion to fp^ak ta 
the children of Ifrael, that tthey go for^irard tp hU table; 
whoever Itay back, they ought not. . 

^ie/l. Who are thofe th^t may be numbered among 
Ifrae/s children, or the feed of Jacob? j^/i/h/. The 
children of Jacob or Ifrael, if they be of the true kind, 
will belike (heir . father : particularly in thefe things j 
firit, Jacob was a great wreftler with God in prayer, 
and i^snce.he got the name of Ifrael, he wcp.t and mad« 
fupplications at Bethel, a,tid prevailed as a prince with 
God, which is the meani:!;; of the name of ifrael. Now, 
if you be wrcltlt^ra with God, you arc Ifracl's childrea^ 
and called to go forward.----Secoud^ .^^aoitk'w^.^ ^-^vcn. 
maiiiib he is caJied, Geii«xxv. a^ A\i?X\%»'aLfex^OCiKwx^ 
WM;/t waBhf this gharaatt v\w?X Oto]®^^ ^^^^"^^^ 



170 SACRA^MENTAL 

a true Ifr;;elite, John i. 47. ^ Behold an Tfraelite indeed 
in whom is no guile' Now, if you ftudy godly finceri 
ty, and plain dealing in your behaviour both to Gk)c 
and man, you are IfracPs children, and called to gc 
forward.— 'Third, Jacob had faith hi Chrift, and- belie- 
ving views of him as the glorious Shiloh; he waited 
for his coming, drew his comfort from it, and rejoicec 
in the gathering of the people to him: If It be fo witl: 
you, then we bid you go forward. — '-Fourth, Ifraei 
and his children were God's covenanted people > thej 
chufed God for their God^ and gave themfelves up tc 
him : If it be fo with you, you are Ifrael's children, gc 

forward. Fifth, Jacob was zealous for reformation, 

TiOth with refpe£b to hinifelf and his family, and caufed 
them to put away all their idols/ deanfe themfelveSi 
and change their garments, when going to renew cove- 
nant with God, Gen. xxxv. 2. Now, if you (ludy fin- 
cerely to follow his example, you are among the child« 
reh of Ifrael, to whom God warrants minifters to fpeak, 
and bid them go forward to his table. Now, If you 
have any of the forefaid five charafters, in Chrift'j 
name we can promife you welcome to his table. Go 
forward to it then with hearts burning with love to 
Chrift and to his people-, go with thankfulnefs and 
praife to God for providing fuch a Saviour and fpiritual 
fead for you*, and go with hunger and third to partake 
of it. Go forward with humility and felf-denial, re- 
nouncing all confidence in your preparations and per- 
formances, and depending only upon Chrift's mediatioa 
for acceptance with God. 

ADVICE. XIL ' 

From John xii. 32. 
jind /, if I he lifted up Jrom the earthy ^iU draw all men 
unto me. 
A S the facrifices under the law were heaved and 
jnL Yiit^^ up before the Lord, fo Chrift, the antitype 
mutt be lifted up on the cioU, us xVvt uiotivw^ (icrifice 
for our Cms. The Jews were not mot^ vj\\V\x\^\o\\!Lx 
^^j'm up, th^n he was vrilUnglo^ivu^\aw^l5^i^\«l.\^'« 



ADVICES. J7X 

dily undertook to be lifted up, « Lo^ilcome/ faid he; 
he willingly carried his crofs to the place, that he might 
be lifted up on it. He difluadcs the wDmen to weep for 
him. Why? Becaufe I am going to be lifted up a fa- 
criHce to juftice for your (ins, and to draw your fouls 
unto me. 

^tejl. But how doth he draw all men, when Satan 
keeps many (till fail in his grips ? AnJ\ Chrift was lifted 
up to obtain drawifig offers and invitations to all men 
without exception, and accordingly gives drawing calls 
to all men in his word; and if they be not drawn to 
him it is their own fault. But though many be called^ 
and multitudes flock to the word, yet there are none ef- 
fcftually drawn to Chrift but the clefti and thefe may 
be called all men, as they are gathercdout of all nations^ 
kindreds and languages, ages, fexes and quahties. All 
men, Gentiles as well as Jews: All forts of men, fin- 
ners of all iizes, greater as well as lefTcr- .^«$/?. But 
how doih the lifting up of Chriil draw finners effeftu*^ 
ally to him ? Anf, By the merit of his lifted-up facri- 
fice he obtained the removal of all hinderances of their 
comiiig to him, fuch as, the guilt of their fins, the en- 
mity of their iiatures, the power of their corruptions^ 
their unbelief, hardnefs, blindnsfs, and difcouraging 
fears. And likewiie by it he purchafed all the means 
requifite for drawing men to him, fuch as the preach- 
ing of the gofpel, fandiified rods, the grace of faith, 
and, above all, powerful inflences of the Holy Spirit*. 
As Chrift was lifted up on the crofs, fo he muft be lift- 
ed up on the pole of the gofpel, for drawing tinners to 
him. Thus the brazen ferpent was lifted up in the 
wildernefs, for drawing the itung Ifraelites about it, and 
it proved molt eiFedlual for that end-, fo a cruciSed Je- 
£u6 held out, and evidently fet forth in the gofpel^ as he 
was lifted up on a bloody crofs, with his pierced hands 
ftretchcd out to embrace loft .finners, is furcly the moil 
attradivc and drawing Cght inahc world. This won- 
derCul loadftone hsth drawn tho\xC%ad%5:^iVi-u^\x^xw\v^'%ax^ 
toil at once, A natural loudft-on^ vYio^^Sx^-^-^* *^^^ 
jp it, jet it m^j be drsiwa wwi Uom'vx ve^^^»>- 



crucified Chrift drawa the heart fo powerfully and < 
1]F to him, that they can never be feparated again. 
▼er was their fuch a drawing engine in' the wo; 
this I A lifted up ftandard orenfign draws numbc 
fcattered foldiers unto it, but it is feen by few; 
crucified Jefus, lifted up in the gofpel, is an e 
to draw great multitudes in defFerem nations und< 
banner of his love, Ifa. xi. lo. The firft experi 
that was made of its virtue in Jerufalem by the 
ftle Peter, 3000 fouls were drawn to Chriit at 
and after that many nations that knew him no 
run unto him. Come then, O finners, admir 
experience the power of thiB lifted up enfign ; let 
iron hearts be drawn by thisloaddone; it hat 
nothing of its virtue to this day. Thoufanda.of 1 
in other places do flill feiel its power : We are i 
times refreCbed with the welcome news of their 
drawn off* from the vanities of time and the love c 
tQ glorious Chrift: Why then do not your heart 
yi^ld to the power of this bleffed loadftone, Chrif 
cified, Lifted up in the word and facrament? It hal 
fame virtue here as elfcwhere, were but' the e] 
faith opened to behold it, according to that allurinj 
Ifa. xlv..22. 

Wiien Chrift- was lifted up on the crofs, his fac 
turned to the Gentiles, for the Jews out of mali 
federal write) would have him crucified with hi 
towards the weft, as reckoning him unworthy tc 
to the temple and holy city that ftood on the eai 
of Mount Calvary; but Chrift had a loving defi 
it to us GcntiJes, and to acco.mplifb that word, 
Ixvi. 7. * His eyes behold the nations.' Behold, i 
ners, Chrift turned his face to you on the crc 
draw you unto him ; there he bowed his head to 
you to draw you; there he opened a cleft in his i 
draw you ; there blood and water flowed from his 
to draw you to him 1 And now he hath fent his 
gad Spirit to draw you; now he difplays his bloc 
m>ands in the facrament to dtSLNv ^o>x% now Vv^\ 
ARgAifi cord$QfloYe about youthtwus^^^vu ^<^>^ 



ADVICES. i7S 

now the devil is holding andChrift drawing; Chrift and 
the devil are now ftrug'^ling for your hearts ; the eyes 
of many are on you, the eyes of the glorious Trinity, 
the eyes of angels, the eyes of miiiifters and faints arc 
en you, to fee what the iiTue of the combat fliall bs, 
which of them fliall gain the prize. Satan indeed i« 
the ftrong man, but glory to God, Chrill is ftrongcr 
than he. O that he may prevail, the heart is his by ■ 
right, furrcndcr it to him without delay. He will nor 
, enter without your confent; his people muil all be 
• made willing in the day of his power.' Oh, if the 
will were once conquered, the day were Chrid's, and 
the field were won for ever. 

Would you then have Satan defeat, yoiir biafied will 
OVercon]ie, and your fouls 'favingly brought to Chrift, 
O look up and cry for a draught of Chrift's power* 
You have neither ftrength nor will to come to a cruci- 
fied Chrift, unlets he draw you. Ordinances or pro- 
vidences cannot draw you, the word or facraments can- 
not draw you, judgments or mercies cannot do itj yea, 
neither miniilers nor angels can draw your dead and 
heavy Iicarts. O then look b'iyond them ail to a lifted- 
Up £ ijiuanuel, * draw me, Lord, and I will run /.fter 
• thee.* V;.!. 'ji-dinaji;;^ you have in v.i .v can never be 
a drawing oruhic. .•::, if C-riit j>uc nor forih his virtue 
with it; the fac; sr.- ;,'. 'i!.' Ix: ::fel::f6, and the admini- 
ftrators iitclcL, .1 '^..aa ir^j.v you noc. The moll 
powcriul fer.i.uiis, ;hr 1...I .i.iurir^^ calls will all ba 
lolt, ir he draw iu,t. Y:.u .-M nt it ill in the Sjdomof 
a natural and wrathful iUlc, it i.v^ draw notj you will 
be eternally damu-j.i, if Ciiri:t ciraw yoi not :o niaii. 
You can ncvtr overco/iie tne ttrong niul faotile tempta- 
tions 6aran caus in your >>vay, you ca-i never deny lelf^ 
forlake beloved iuds, renounce j aiiiiicatioa by works, 
quit all coiinocnce in your own doings, go naked and 
cii;pty to Chnit, be cjiu-rnt to live wa.Uy upon his 
righicoufnelc, andrccci^re grace, life, itrengca, and glory, 
as d, ire^ gitt tij.a Cariii, vvithout tajj d^wia^ivt^v^^ 
of a \i{n;d'Up C)aviour. On, \i yo\x \ve.x^ Qtvw ^ao^x^^^^- 
ed witfi ti2io t/rawiiig power, ^ou av\^AX. %i >«Ss:j2w ^'^^s^'- 
fon fo his Uol^, ana feed upoi\ hu ^vXictv'A.^^- 



1 



174 SACRAMEICTAL 

Queft. How (hall I know if I have yet been drawn 
effcflually lo a lifted-up Jefus? 

^«/", Try it by thefe marks: Have you difcovercd his 
matchlefs excellency fo as to draw ofF your heart from 
fm and the perifliing things of the world? Have you 
felt the cords of hi^ love about your heart and will, 
conftjaining you to yield yourfelf wholly to hi nti ? Is 
your he'irt drawn out in love and a(E;£lion to a cruci- 
fied Chrid above all things, fo that the delire of your 
foul is to him ^nd the remerr^brance of his name? Are. 
you growing Hill likcr to him, more holy, more hum- 
ble, meek, and heavenly minded ? Nearnefs will breed 
likeiiffs. Are you troubled for di (lance from Chrift, 
when at any time you are drawn off him by fin, Satan, 
or the world's allurements? Are you drawn to duty 
with a view of enjoying his prefence therein ? In the 
mean time are you drawn off from reltingon duties, or 
putting any attainments in Chrifl's noom ? Then you 
may conclude your heart is effifdtually drawn by a lift^ 
cd-up Saviour \ and fo may, with holy contldence and 
jcy, draw near to him in the facraiiiental trying-place 
and hold communion with hin*i there. 

A D \ I C fc xiir. 

From John i. 36. — xix. 5. 
Behold the Lamb of Gud.''''-^^Behold the Man, 

OCommunicantf?, both John and Pilate call you to 
behold Chrift fufF;jring and facrificed for you, and 
which is more, the Spirit of God calls you to this- duty 
alfo. Let each one of you then fay with Mofe'8> Exod. 
iii. 3. ' I will now turn afide, and fee this great 
* fight.* A great fight indeed! For though he be cal- 
led a lamb, aiid a man, he is aifo God, God in human 
nature lullerini;;, bleeding and dying, a great and won- 
derful fight! All the pcrfons of the glorious Trinity 
call you to behold it, Ifa.xlii. i.— xlv. 22. John i. 29. 
Draw then as near as pofliblc, that you may get a good 
rJeiv of it; /land not at a dillance like thofe who fol- 
Jowcd him from Galike to t\ve c\oU^^ivA\'i^\^ U 
^afdj Luke xxiii. 49. • Tbe^ Vlooi ?ilw o'sli >at\tfi\^\t.^ 



Advices. 175 

* thefe things.' Do not now (land afar ofF,nor take afar 
ofFlook of a crucified Chrifti but come dofe^to him by faith 
and take a near and faving look of him> a# he calls jou, 
Ifa. xlr. 22. * Look unto me and be faved; I am (iod^ 

< and there is no Saviour befides me.' O tfcen tura 
not your back or fhoulder to him, look not afquint to 
him, look not by him to other things : but look with a 
broad, ilraight, and fteady look unto him. The maa 
Chrifi Jefus is the Lamb of God, appointed by faiin to 
be facrificed, to make atonement for pur fins, and to 
purchafe pardon, life and falvation to us: And looking 
to him by f^ith is the great mean of fecuring and mp^ 

!)lying the bleffings of his purchafe to us. And in a 
jpecial manner he calls us to look unto him in his 
fufferings for us. < Behold me» behold me !* 

Behold the fufivring man, a man of fofrows indeed I 
And particularly behold him entering upon that fear- 
ful fcene in the garden of Gethfcmane, when he began 
to fear^ turn forrowfitl^ and very heavy, when he was 
fore amazed, felllnto ansgony and bloody fweat, and 
cried out, • My foul is exceeding forrowful even unto 

* death!' O what was it that made your Saviour fo hea- 
vy, but the dead weight of the eletVs fins, which the 
law^s heavy curfes annexed to them? Oh, your fouls 
were exceeding guilty, which made his foul exceeding 
heavy. Behold ancl fee ycur forrowfui Redeemer fa!U 
ling into a fearful agony, and, while in it| falling down 
.fometimes on las knees, and fometimes on his face^ 
praying once, priiying again, and praying the third 
timCi until he is quite overwhelmed with wrath, and 
covered with his own blood! * Behold the forrowfui 

< man/ with the great drops of blood (landing above 
his garments for your fins, and bedewing the ground! 
See Jehovah now a^ing againft him, as an inexorable 
Judge» running on him as a giant^ and making him the 
butt of his envenomed arrows I— Behold him in this a- 
gony making his moan to his difciples, who could 
make no help to him; for neither they «oi xk^t. ^w^^ 
in heaven durU touch hisload^ not xa&.^ Viv^ c\t^\ a.^**.. 

Me got not fo much as fymj^^tiv^ fagta\^^ ^>S&v^W'%'^^ 



176 SACRAMENTAL 

Ml all aflcep when he was at the worft, and left him In 
his agony to druggie and tread out the wine-prefs a- 
lone ! O be not be idle fpeftators of your Saviour's a- 
gony, but let your fouls be exceedingly affcdled with 
Chrift's foul fufFerings for your fouls (ins. 

< Behold the man^ Chrift betrayed and fold for a lit- 
tle money, apprehended and bound with cords like a 
thief y and bound faft, as Judas bade, yea fo fad (as fome 
fay) that the blood burft out of his tender hands? O 
can your heart or eyes hold to fee thofe hands that 
made the heavens, wrung together and bruifed with 
hard cords ! To fee him bound as a prifoner, that came 
to fet the prifoners free. But had not the cords of 
your Redeemer's love held him fafler than the cords 
of his enemies, though they had been cables or chains, 
they could not have kept him; but his love to you 
made him a willing prifoner ! — ' Behold the man' Jilind- 
folded, mocked, buffeted^and abufcd for you! Behold 
him ftript naked and fcourged I Behold him that clothes 
the lilies of the field, that made coats of fkins to clothe 
our firft parents, now ftript and unclothed himfelf ! He 
is ftript naked, that you might not be found naked at 
God's bar ! He is ftript of his robes, that he might pro- 
vide a robe of righteoufnefs to cover your nakcdncfs, — 
• Behold the man' fcourged by Pilate, and that above mea- 
fure, thinking thereby to fave his life; but as the Jews 
were net fatisfied therewith, fo neither was infinite ju- 
ftice fatinfied i fo that his life muft go, and the man Chrift 
is willing it Ihould: Willmgly did he give his back to the 
fmiters, that you might be frctd from the evcrlafting 
laftesof God's wrath in l.eli! l^jhold every part of his 
blefled body torn and wounded by fcoargingj, becaufe 
every part of. you was wounxicd by iin, and his ftripes 
were the only cure for your woumls. 

* behold the man* with a plaited crown of thorns on 

his blcfTeJ head, with the (harp points turned inward, 

and thefe beat into his head with a ftafF, till all his 

Jieadid but zsoim wound, from whence a new ihowerof 

blood ran down his neck for ^^ouVXom wwj V^ x^-a^d^ 

tQ cry, Fy on the Jews, or f ^ ou xYv^ loV^w^ vicvax \5i^\ 



ADVICES 177^ 

Saviour fo ; but rather cry, Fy on your fins that 
worfe to him, thefe plaited the crown of -thorns and 
ified him too, « Behold the Lamb of God' now 
!ngly caught in the thickets, like the ram, to be/acri- 
l in your room-, when you were bound like Ifaac 
:hat.end. Behold him willing to wear a crown of 

and ignominy, that you might wear a crown of 
y and renown: Willing to be difgraced and affront- 
that you might be honoured and exalted: Willing 
t a Barabbas, the viled malefa^or in all Jerufalemi 
referred before him, that you might be prefercd to 
om among God's children. — * Behold the man,' af^ 
all thefe fufferings, put to bear the heavy croG on. 
Tore wounded fiioulders, a heavy load indeed with 
ele£l's fins and law's curfes fa(lened to it; yet he 
6 without complaint till his (trength is fpent, and 
s ready to faint under the burden, fo that another 
I help ! Oh, it was not the weight of the tree that 
e him faint, he had a greater burden to bear thaa 
thoufand worlds^ even the infinite wrath of God . 
to the eleft's fins! Ocan you behold this fight with 
eyes f 

Behold the man' brought to Golgotha, nailed to ' 
tree, lifted up, and drinking out tl^ bitter dregs o£ 
cup of wrath thereon, till at length he yielded him- 
prifoner to death by bowing his head, giving death 
orders to execute his commifSon, and ca,rry him off 
ftage! Behold and wonder at the fight, the Lord of 

; death's taken prifoner! O man can'll thou 

d and fee the Lamb of God flain in thy room, and 
thy fins, and not be affedled ! Write that man a 
[I, a ftone, a lump of earth, that can be fenfelefs, 
dd, and unconcerned at fuch a fight ! O blufh and be 
imed, O man, at thy ftupidity, when the dead earth 

rocks about Jerulalem quaked and rent at the fuf. 
ngs you now behold rcprefentd in the facrament. 
urfed fin (which many make light of) that could not 
expiated by any other lacritice, than th^t ol t^>x\ ^i:cw«- 
luej, the Lamb of God, the maiu CV«\Sl '^^^vs^^V ^ 
boJd the man,' and trcmbte aX tiu^xYifc ^w>kAs.^ 



',;8 SACRAMENTAL 

thin^ that murdered the Son of God; the man that is 
God'f M\(fw, the man that is infinirely preferable to a 
million of worlds full of men and angles too. O that 
men would al^i'ays look on (in in the gla& of the ago. 
nies and fufTerings of the man Chrifl, that they might be 
filled with horror at it, as at hell it felf ! Nay, in fcrc- 
ral refpefls fin is a greater evil than hell. 

Let every communicant, every Chriftian, come and 
behold the glorious Sou of God, with the greateft love 
and admiration, who for our fakes was willing to 
become a man, and God's Lamb to be facrificed for 
the fins of men. O let his name Jefus be always to 
you as precious ointment poured forth, and let the re- 
membrance of his love inflame your fouls with vehe- 
ment indignation againft (in, and a burning af}«£bionto 
the Lamb of God, the man Chrift, that A'as willing to drug, 
gle in bloody agonies, and bleed to death on the curfed 
tree, to deliver you from lying in hell for ever! O what 
can we render to him for his free love, amazingand un- 
fpeakable love ! O that we could fpend our whole lives 
in admiring his love, and contemplating his beauty, and 
were thereby made meet in fome meafurefor the exer- 
cife of the Redeemed above A/MEN, 

ADVICE XIV. 

Fro.^! Job xxxvii. 14. 
^' Stand Jlilly and confider the wondrous works of God. 

THE wotks of God, being wondrous, do well dc- 
ferve our mod ferious con fi deration; but fo wa- 
vering are our minds, we cannot confider them aright» 
unlefs we (land (lili and conipofe ourfelves for that end- 
This advice doth Elihu give to Job in the text, and 
Mofes give to the Children of Ifrael, Exod. xiv. 13. 
•—AH God's works are wondrous and highly worthy 
of our obfervation, as his works of creation and pro- 
vidence*, kind more efpecially his works of redemption 
and cf grace, as they are made known unto us in the 
gofpel-difpenf^iion^ and pai:t\cu\ai\^ *m\^Rfcfe^Txvcnt of 
the Lord's fapp^t. — Hc« GoA c^W^-^^mvo ^^Sv^^^^ 



ADVICES. 179 

and confidcr his wondrous work of redeeming wifdom 
andmercjr, infavingfall;jn Tinners. The work of creation 
16 indeed mod wonderful andilupendous; but his \rork 
of redemption is far more coftly and furprifing: The 
one coll him but a word of his power, but thef other 
coft him the death of his v5on : The one is bu: the work 
of his fingers, Pfal, viii. 3. the other is the work of his 
arm, Luke i. 51. Much of the divine wlfdom and pow- 
er is difplayed in making us men, but much more ia 
making us faints ; by the one we have but a (hort mortal 
life, but by the other an eternal and immortal life. God's 
works of redemption and of grace will be the admira- 
tion of faints and angels to all eternity,Rev. v. 12. — xv.3. 
Come then, and behold thefe works of the Lord, as 
they are fct forth before you in the word and facra- 
'ment! Come and fee God from all eternity palling by 
angels, and pitching his love on poor ruined (inners of 
Adam's family, .and contriving their redemption by the 
incarnation and death of his dear Son, while he paifed 
by the angels that fell I —-Come and fcejthe glorious Son 
of God undertaking, in the council of peace, to become 
furety to pay our debt, and fatisfy juftice for the injury 
our (ins did to God's glory ! — Behold and confider the 
device of infinite wifdomfor reconciling judice and 
mercy about guiky men, and fatisfying the demands of 
them both, by punilhing fin feverely, and yet pardon- 
ing the perfons guilty !-i-« Stand ftill and fee the won- 
drous work' of making the Word fleih to dwell among 
US', of the Creator's leaving his throne of Glory, to 
lodge in a virgin's womb, and a beait's manger; of the 
< Ancient ofdays' becoming a « childofadayold,Mearning 
to fpeak and go, and fubje(^ing himfelf to his own law 
in the room of rebel finners! — * B;:hold God's wond- 
rous work' in fetting up a court and throne of grace a- 
mong the prifoners of juilicc:, and caufmg grace fit aa 
Queen on the throne, with a fceptre of mercy ia her- 
hand, and thence to ifiue forth proclamations of grace to 
poor, wretched, blind, mtferable^ atid ix'^Vl^^ ^wvc^kx^^-v 
proddiming pzrdon to the CQUdetawfei., ^^^^^^^"^ 
captivea, und ii/c to the dead; Xc-bl^I^ ^^«^».'V» 



.^i«o SACRAMlfVTAL /: - 

' fiege fo the lienrti^ of rebels, faiAijkdhin||' Apm hfAa. 

' g6^)el trompt Uf fwrrender, and ttfrbg the veMtpitfwi*. 

hig argpmeifita with them to do it^ t&k«n'frbiiiweiii0r 

diar ion,-fuSerings, blood, righ teotifneff^ and EMifitdkii 

xrf the'^^n of God ■ - ■ - "> i ^ ^ ^-^j 

* Behold and confider the wondrous work oi God' 

in f urn idling and fitting the Mediator for our miferable 

^drcufnftances, joining the divine and human natures in 

. ^Kone peifon for our relief] Obferve how well he fuim 

^Mur exzgf!t)cies; he is man, rhat he mi]^hc die for usl 

Hand God, that he might overcome death f Man, that he 

'^plight combat the devil; and God, that he tptght van- 

Hquifii him! Man, that he might take on our guilt and 

I puniiliment ; and God, that he might fupport under it; 

Min^ that ht might offer a facrificc for usi and God, 

to make it luHiiitely meritorious! Man, that he might 

fyn^pjihi^e with uf in trouble; and God, that lie 

' Anight dt liver usf a wondrous Work indeed! — Again, 

observe the Midiator'fi ftilnefs, how exa6\ly it fuit$,our 

miferiesand wants f Incur wonderful Emmanuel ther<s 

is lif^e for our deadnefsj light for our darknefs, beauty 

for our deforfniE5r, ftrength for our we^knefs, health 

for our ficknefsj balm for our woundG, raiment for our 

,. nakednefs, richea for our poverty, m^.it for our gitil- 

tinefs, righteoiifnefsfor o&f ju(lf6catioti, a'JFbiiittain for 

•ur puliation, grace for our fanflificatiqn, Imaif fi(Mr - 

our hunger, water for our thirfl;, and^eep ateFciesfor ' 

€mr ^eep miferies! a wonderful work, to make, one , 

depth fo exjaftly to anfwer another depth f;^< 'fhU .is 

. * the doing o? the Lord, and wondrous in our-^jwii'-.; 

•Stand ftill and fee God's wondrottt Wpri/ 'in 

fending our Emmanuel, * the Prince qf file kings of 

' < the earth/ to go up and down the wildernefs feekizq; 

after the lod (heepi calling and inviting! th^m i^- the 

molt tender manner to come unto him for life acid £iU 

vation, wiUingly, fubmitting. to be buifetipid by Satad, 

'■ contradicted bv finneii, to fuiFer all i ftMStii t l of indigni- 

^ iks, a cupff0miti^ t6A the wtath of 6dd|iind all tiiitt 

^"'A^k^^'b^ 'facrit&ce tci^t^ )\sfiLVtft«bif ^^ W^ 



ADVICES. i»i 

a time, he conquered them and rofe again ; and gave 
commifDon to his ambafTadors to go through all the 
earth, and call perifhing tinners to come unto him, and 
offer them falvation in his name; and having done fo^. 
he afcended into heaven to iatercede for them. Now^ 
it is incumbent upon all comm unicants to remember thefe 
amazing works of God at his holy table, with won* 
der, thankfulnefs and praife. 

Come here, and fee the < fountain of the great depths* 
of infinite love broken up, and ftreams of the water of 
life running freely th;::refrom to the fons of men.— 
Come, fee Jacob's ladder fet up, that reaches from earth, 
to heaven, and God the Father at the top of it calliqg; 
you to climb to heaven by the fteps of it, viz. Chrift's 
wounds, ofBces and promifes ! — Come, fe^ the manna 
coming down in plentiful (bowers, and falling about 
your tents, and every man invited to gather. ^^Come,. 
fee the rock broached in the wildernefs, to fupply the 
necelQties of your fouls; fee the rock fmitten by the 
rod of Mofes, and bearing the curfes of the law for you I 
—Come, fee the -* city of refuge' opened for poor man- 
flayers, that Tinners, who have ilaiu their fouls by fin^ 
may flee to it for (belter. O then flee for your lives^ 
;^nd do not linger by the way !— Conie, fee God bring* . 
inghis righteoufnefs near you who are guilty criminals^, 
and bidding you to put it on for your fafety in judge- 
ment i it i«a robe that will fit every one of you ! — Come,, 
fee the < fruits and leaves* of the < tree of life' (hakea 
and feattered among itarving wounded foul&: Gather 
and feed on the fruits of his purchafe for your nouri{h« 
ment; apply the leaves of his promifes for your heaU 
ing— Come, fee the * well of ialvatign' opened, bring 
the chain and bucket of faith, and draw water. The 
great medicine well is here, come with all your difea* 
fesand ailaients toit, come with your hard hearts, blind 
eyes, weak hands, feeble knees, lame feet, and cold af- 
fedtions, to get. them healed. — (^metCcACkd^^^s.^-^ 
ment cpeaed, and, every man aWovi^A. Xa \fc^x. va. te\ ^ 
ffta«o/^f/ieiegacic6 therein conmtved. ^Vw\%^w.^x^ 
9 do by b^lkving^ claiming, lafm^YtfA*^^^. ^-^ - 



i«a SACRAMENTAL 

cing the promifcs! Come, fee (Iraying prodigals re- 
turning to their Father's houfe, and fee their father 
embracing them, and the wholt* family rejoicing at their 
return : See their filchy rags taken ofF^ and the white 
robe of the Son of God put on theni, and the fatted 
calf killed for them. Come, fee the ICing of glory en- 
^tering in at the everlafting gates of men's fouls, de- 
throning fin and felf, taking pofTeiTion of their hearth) 
and fetting up his throne and kingdom in them. — Come, 
fee King Solomon both crowned and married in one 
day! An adoniihing match concluded between the 
Prince of Life and the heir of hell! AH the daughters 
of Zion are called forth to behold the (ight, Cantlv. 
1 1 .— ^Ali thefe are great and wondrous works of God 
to be {eta in the word and facrament, which all com* 
municahts' ought to itand ftill and confider. 

Confider thefe marvellous works fo as to be fuitably af- 
fe£ted with them, make them the fabje£l of year medi- 
tations; entertain high and admiring thoughts of God, 
and of his infhiite love and wifdom manifeiled in them. 
Give firm credit to the record'and teftimony God hath 
given us of thefe wondrous works, and glorify the 
great Author of them with 7our hearts, tongues, and 
lives. Embrace the gofpel-otfer, and be afraid of of- 
fending that God who has humbled himfelf fo low for 
cur fakes, and has wrought fuch great and wondrous 
works for us. Be careful to ferve him and pleafe him 
in all things, and abhor fin his grand enmy. i 

' .. ■ ■ ■ ■ -' i - — . r r 

ADVICE XV. 

From Rtv. xxii. % 
In mdji of the Jireet was the tree of life, m 

IT was a fad day to mankind, when God baniflicd 
Adam from the earthly paradife,. and from the tree 
of life that grew therein, and alfo Qiut the entry to it.' 
.But behold God, in his free mercy, is now opening an 
entry, and inviting Adaiu'^s \>ai\\%itd ^q^\\V) \^^ck a- 
gam to a hctterfaradife, whexftt\iW^wfc^>Jkt« ^^>^^^^s.^ 

§ad neither fm nor ^iauu «u cpx^i* W^ ^^'^T^ ^^ 



ADVICES. 18^ 

18 a tree of life, Jefus Chrift, infinitely preferable to 
that in Adam's paradife. This tree of life far excels 
that in its leavesj (hadow, fruit, and virtues -, it aiii« 
mates, yea, reilores aftd preferves }ife for ever ; neither 
is there any flaming fword to hinder our accefs to it- 
Adam's tree endured but a (hort time, but ours lafta for . 
ever. Other trees decay, fade and wither, but * Jefus 
* Chrift is the fame yeftcrday, to-day and for ever.' . O 
come then, Gt down under the (hadowof ihis tree> eat 
of its fruit, and .live for ever. Though the tree be 
now planted in the heavenly paradife, yet his branches^ 
fliadow, and fruit, extend to every believer oneartb,.a8 
well as to the faints above. Thoufandsof cohununi« 
cants at the lower table have < fat under his (hadow with 
^ great delight, and found his fruit fweet to their tafte»' 
Chrift is a tree that bears fruit at all times^ every months 
and even in the ftiarpeft winter months of ficluiefs and 
death* 

There are fome very ufeful trees in the worlds that 
afford all neceiTaries to men, fuch as meat, drinkj pby^- 
fic, and clothing. Behold, God hath provided fuch a 
treefor us. Jefus Chrift afRsrds us all ihefe. i. Meat: 
He tells us, That ^ his flefh is meat indeed i' that is» 
his ilelh wounded and dying, yields ftrengthening food 
for the foul, in refpe£^ of its fruits and eftedts. It is. 
food well prepared ^ the holy Trinity fpent a whole 
eternity in preparing it. It is meat well feafoned^ it 
is feafoned. with the love of God, fauced with the blood 
of Chrift, and fpiced with the graces of the Spirit, — 2» 
Drink: Chnft's blood is alfodrink indeed to the foul, 
in refpe£l to its comfortable cffe£is i luch as pardon^ 
peace^ light, life, ttrength, &c. Thefe flreams from the 
ilock are moft rcfrefliing, cordial, and favoury drinkj 
favoury to God, favoury to angels, and molt favoury to 
every foul chat hath tafted it. it is a fweet cup that is to . 
^be put into. yottr. hand, if you have faith, btic it is poir 
fonous to' an unworthy communicant tloX^'^i^vv^^^^v^^c^^ 
:JBii/> a you be worthy,, tlxe dtiuk ViSl^VJ»^^^%.^;fi»*^ 
ken grace^ and ref reOi the fouV. lS«t ivqx% O \]*5«*« 



*14 SACRAMENTAL 

dicinal and reftorative to thy foul, and it will .only kill 
and deftroy the lufts. — 3. Phyfic: The leaves of this 
tree are for « healing of the nations;' Chrift hathma- 
ny healing promifes, which, when applied by faithj are 
mod ufeful to purge out (in and corruption, and to 
heal all the fouPs wounds and difeafes.— 4. fhis tree 
affords clothing alfo. Poor fallen Adant, wheo naked, 
vent to the fig-tree for its leaves to cover hiai-, but^O 
let his poflerity go to the tree of life, where they fhall get 
infinitely T)etter clothing, even Chrifl's per£e£): righte- 
oufnefs, which is fpotlefs and law-bi.iing. Behold a 
rich robe, fet with the pearls and diamonds of hea¥€.n.-i« 
A large robe, fo broad as to cover a whole eledl irof Id. \ 
It alfo covers all the fpots and infirmities of believerii 
fo that not one of them is to be feen. This robe is m 
broad as die law, which we are told is exceed- 
ing broad. And it is jufl as beautiful as broa^i for it 
makes every ele£l foul amiable and acceptable ta';GQdi 
—Never then was there fuch a tree, cither in the earth- 
ly or the heavenly paradife, as our glorious tree of life, 
Jefus Chrift. O hungry fouls, here is meat! O thirity 
fouls, here is drink ! O difeafed fouls, here is medicine ! 
O naked fouls, here is clothing! O come then to this 
tree of life, and you have all things necefTary for you* 
.0 communicants, you are called to take a view of this 
bleiTed tree, as it was hewn, mangled, and cut down by 
the az of julUce, when he died upon the cro&for you. 
£vcnin this his mangled condition, he is a moft beautiful 
and engaging fight to the eye of faith! O believer^ be- 
hold your princely Jefus lifted upon a bloody crofSf 
on the top of mount Calvary, for all nations to fee him, 
and gather to him for food and healing- Since that 
mount was firft created, it never produced fuch a tree, 
or fuch precious fruit, as the Lord of Glory hang- 
ing on the tree of the crofs, that was planted there 
ibme hours : Chrift s hanging on it changed its nature 
/ro472 B cur fed to a blefled tree, a tree of life and falva- 
tjoa. This tree of life vmAs, "MLomtvx. di\N«t^ ^.^^ntsSL 
wd lovely psLTzdiic that day, ^notmx!tk&Vci% ^i ^xi^mi.- 
^iif?a« bonc^ that lay fgaXvetc4u«ou\C^%sAflaR.i\>ivx&^ 



vlng on it that day hath enriched both heaven and 
h, and will fill heaven with eternal fongs of praife. 
ou are likewife called, at this time, to draw near a 
ified Chrill, the tree of life, that is always laden 
I fruit: Come as near as poflibly you can win, 
e the tree by faith, and gather as much fruit as you 

eat, and lay up for after times, yea, gather and 
ip for eternity. — The fruits of this tree are durable " 
lading, plentiful and enriching, fweet and fatisfy- 
Tianifold and various, Rev, xxii. « twelve manner 
fruits every month,' which is 144 crops in the 
. Likewife they are moft fuitable to the wants 
necellities of your fouls. What can be more fuit- 
to the guilty than pardon? to the dead than life? 
le hungry than bread? to the thirfty than drink? to 
vounded than balm ? to the blind than cye-falvc? 
le naked than clothing? ,to the impotent thaa 
gth? to the weary than reft? to the captive than 
cy? to the diiturbed than* peace? to the bewiider- 
lan light ? to die warrior than victory ? All thcfe, 
nnumerable more, are the fweet and fuitable fruita 
c tree of life. 

then, give all diligence to fecure and clear up your 
cil in this blefTed tree of life and its fruits, which 
ow offered to you freely, without money or price, 
idon and reje<ft the four and unfavoury fruits of 
he world, and your own righteoulhefsj and ero- 

the tree of life in the arms of faith, and all its 
; are yours. Come, * fit down under his Ihadow/ 
i table, and believingly receive and feed on thefe 
ous fruits* O how delightful and refreOiing is 
ladow and (belter of Chrill's rightcoufnefs to the 
that hath been fcorched with a fenfe of divine 
lafure for fin ! This ihadow fcrecns and protedTis 
rom the heat of God's wrath, from- the curfes of 
Y law, and from the flaviih fears of death, and 
I'iike difpenfations. Then let every weary and 
led foul come at Chrift's call, and fit dci^VL>a.N\AiRx 
adow: Give firm credit totlie %ot^\-\^^<i^^ «*^'- 
ff Chria's furctyQiip, hia £u?Evwivx. t\^^^^>a&5^«^> 




ill ^ is A C It A M E NT A L^ 

and free ol&rs: Acqutefce heartilf m itiitt 
trivtnce of (helter and fafcty, and put all yoor trufl and 
confidence i n h i s r i ghtecu f nefs a I o n f ; ^^n d ab i d e co n * 
tfntedtjriHideritfilhadow^ without wauJfcring from it, or 
going from tfcctotr€C| as many do, feektng reft or 
Ihrlter* Surely aU yrho le&re Chriit^ and wander afti^ 
the 0)adow of creature comforts, or their own doingi 
Ibrfdicf, win tlifqaiet thcmfciffiin Tain; for there is 
itofafety of rctt any where, but under the Qiadow of 

rJSi€ tree of ]ife« Hefe^ Only you wifl find prots^flicn 
knd pronfion : Thi* made the Spouf^ fiy* Cant* li, 3* * I 
'fat down under hit fliadow wrth gr^^at delight, aad hu 
^ fruit was fweet to my taftc/- 

Let all tlioft, who have esperie need the f^ifety and 
Iwetfnth oi Chrirt's fhadow and fruif, blefs God thai 
g^rt thtm tuunfci, and drew th^m to this happlnefs. 

^ See that you abitie dole under this (hadowr, and m^lte 
:it your CGuthiual ttUrt, Chrill Ipeaka to you, as Da- 
Tfid to Abhther, when hefl^d to him from Haura.cfucJ- 
ty» * Abide thou with me, leaf ntit, for he that feeketh 
^ my Jife, feeketh thy life, but wiUi me thou ihalt be m 

* fafeguard/— Likcwife pity and pray for ihem who 
Sight the tree of life, and are goir.g through all xht 
trees of the wood for reft and fatisfatlion, but cannot 
find it. O commerrd this blefTed tree to them, and ia- 
Vite them to come and fit down under the^adov of \ 
it, where they will find all things. Say to them, as 
Fhilip to Nathaniel, * Come and Uc* — Be alfo looking ) 
out, 'land longing for the full enjoymentcif tte tveeof 
life in the paradife above, where you (li^i^eternaUy 

* fing aknong the branches of it/ meet wiA all*y4»iir 
friends^ and eat the 'fruits with a ferliiettef iqppetite^ 
and rcliftr than ever any did here below^ ■ 

~~ A D V IC U. XVI 

^ From ^.. lutxii. 2^ 

ji Man Jball b9 a hidrng-ftaif^om th§ nxjimlj tmi a c^(9eH 

frotH {b$ lemp^. 
r JyHATEVER ftortni of t«mi^VlMMi% w^ #^ 
Vr poM to here, aan& u» tw^l^wtftaVc^^^ 



ADVICES. h87 

hiding place from them. Before Adam's fall, that (in 
entered into the world, all was calm and ferene; but, 
fipce that, the world is become a weary wildernefa, full 
of tempefts; and as foon as one is laid, another is ready 
to blow. There are ftorms of outward afflidions, fick- 
nefs, kiTes, and difappointmcnts, and many wrath-like 
difpenfatiohs of Providence ; there are ftorms of temp- 
tations from Satan, challenges from confcience, than- 
derings from Mount Sinai, dcfertions from God, re- 
proaches and perfecutions from the world: And yet all 
thefe ftorms here are but lilpe drops before the fhoW'- 
er, if compared with the terrible ftorm of wrath to come^ 
which is abiding the ungodly and unbelieving. But 
glory to infinite wifdom and free love, for finding oat 
t proper hiding place for loft (inners amidft thefe 
ftorms, to which we are called to turn, 2^ch. ix. 12* 

* Turn ye to the ftrong hold, ye prifoners of hope/ 
The man Chrift is an excellent ftrong hold and hiding 
place againft all ftorms whatfoever; in him there it 
fufGcient ro(.m and accommodation for us, his wounds 
are wide, his mercy large, his merits infinite, his oStfS 
free, his calls moft graciouo and extenfive, Ifa. xlr. 23». 

* Lock to me, and be ye faved, all the ends 0/ the earth.* 
The accefs is declared free, and the way patent, to all 
who turn to this ftrong hold for ftielter, and never was 
any excluded that turned to it. 

A crucified Jefus, O communicants, reprefentcd to 
you in the facrament, is the ftrong hold and hiding 
place to which you are called ro turn by faith for fliel- 
terandfafety, fromthcfwordof juftice Inhimthereare 
excellent clefts for flicker. Cant. ii. 14 and whic;. you 
ought to* be well acquainted with. There are the clefts 
of his wounds and merits, which all ChriftN doves flee 
to when ftroms arife. There is alfo the cleft of hia 
power, the cleft of his wifdom, the cleft of his love, 
and the cleft of his faiihfulnefs ; many a ftorm have* 
they efcaped in thefe clefts — In this hiding place there 
are alfo chambers of fafecy, to which iioum-aL^) t^vvx^ >Wvvotl 
the temped blows, Ifa» xxvi. ^o. TMtt -ax^ >Xv^ ecoxc^- 
ber9 of Cbriil's offices and fwect i^Uv\ox^^» ntXvv^"^^ 



j88 SA-CRAMENTAL ' 

bath afiumed for the fafety and comfort of belleven; 
in each of thefe many of them have found (heltcr when 
ftorms have blown. There is alfo the pleafent cham- 
ber of his covenant, with the clofets of its promifeSj 
which afford fweet retiring places in tempeftnoufi times. 
O ftudf to be acquainted with them.* David was well 
acquainted with the well-ordered covenant and its pro- 
mifeS) and had his recourfe thereto in troublous times, 
and particularly when he was threatened with the ftorm 
of death. 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. * Altho' my houfe be not 

* fo with God, yet he hath made with me an everiaft- 
f ing covenant, ordered in all things and fure ; this is 

* all my falvation.' And he pleads the promifesof this 
covenant for his fafety, Pfalm. cxix. 49. « Remember 

• the word to thy fervant,upon which thou haft caufed 
« me to hope.* Come then by the excercife of faith, iQd 
fhut yourfelves up in thefe fweet chambers at the Lord's 
table, and take complacency in viewing and walking 
through them. 

Chrift crucified is a covert and hiding place tohelie- 
vers, and to every thing that belongs to them : He is e- 
ven a covert to their bodies in time of danger, fo was 
be to his difciples when the (torm was breaking upon 
himfelf, John xviii. 8. * If yc feek me, let thefe go their 

♦ way.' But more efpecially he is a covert to their 
fouls, thefe he accounts precious as his jewels; he hides 
them in his wounds, and < keeps them by his power, 

• thiough faith unto falvation.' He is alfo a cov<irt to 
their graces, and keeps them in life when ready to die, 
^nd faves them from being overwhelmed in the day of 
temped. What had become of David and of Peter's 
grace, under violent ftorms of temptation, if he had 
not been a covert to them. Many a time hath he 
preferved the fmoking flax, and the bruifed reed, un- 
der the moft dangerous ftorn.s- Likcwife Chrilt is a 
coven to their evidences and marks of grace; he prc- 
ferveu th(?m, and keeps them legible, alter many blots 
which fin and Satan do calt upon ihem; He hath the 

blelled art of recovering aud ckwVxvg^M^ xVv^u ^videacce. 



T 



ADVldES. . i»^ 

hen they are frequently given up for loft in times of 
ackflidihg. 

Let all confider how miferablethey are who have no 
itcrcft in this hiding place j you that are out of Chrift, 
ave no covert from the tempeft, you can Yieither have 
ifety nor comfort in times of trouble. Nay, when a- 
y ftorm blows from without againft you, a guilty con-* 
:ience will be ready to raife a ftorm within ; and alfb 
lew you a more terrible ftorm gathering againft you, 
ven the wrath jhatis to come; wrath ftill coming, but 
.ever all come^ a ftorm that will ftill be blowing, but 
icvcr will blow over. — O what will become of you, if 
leath come upon you in this flicltcrlefs ftate, when out 
if Chrift the only hiding place ? to be furc then « hell 
wiU follow the pale horfe.' To whom then will ye 
lce7or help or fliclter? The rocks or hills will not be, 
I hiding place to you, if Chrift do not hide you : No crea- 
urc will fcrcen or pity you ; if Chrift do it not : All 
he creatures will take part with their Creator againft: 
rou, sindinftcad of hiding you, they will be ready to di- 
rulge and accufe you to the purfuer, * the juftice of 
; God/ If you cry to the heavens, O cannot the vafl: 
ixpanded heavens afford me a hiding place from the 
tempeft ? No, will they fay, there is no refuge, no en- 
trance here for the flighters of Chrift ; we will open 
only to rain fire and brimftone, and furious ftorms upen 
their heads. If you look to the air, and fay. Is there 
no hiding place thro' the vaft regions of the air for me? 
No, the air is tranfparent, and will difcover the crimi- 
nal, and will raife a whirlwind of wrath to blow you 
into hell. If you cry to the fea. Is there no hiding ' 
place in all the depths of the fpacious fea to ftielter me 
from the Lamb's wrath? No, the fea will give up her 
dead to be judged, and will rage furioufly againft you. 
If you look to the earth. Is there no cave nor pit in all 
the earth to hide me from the dreadful ftorm ? No, 
the earth, inftead of hiding you, \^ill open its moxitK^ 
and let you go quick down to heW^ lov ^x^vvcv^n!^^ 
wounds of CbriA, that were opened to^ftvt^x&x ^ci>>'- 

^Wct every Gnncr then flee now, Nv\aH vt '^^ ^^^^'^ » 
O 



'»oa SACRAMENTAL 

, ^ay ; It 19 moft.jufl: to ferengc tht death of ChBft Up* 

<(P **• " ' 

)^ : 6. A Communion Sabbath u a memorial "dfChrilt^ 
• ^ iipnqucft ind coronation; For on thi& day Chrift fi^- 
-^lijeiitl/ receives the fruit and reiit^ard of-the iravel of 
kit foul and his bitter agonies, by overconrung beirtt| 
depp^ng Satan from his throne^ and ddivcTing fooJs 
from his thraldom, and Irani! attng them into, bit own 
kingdom^ . And, at this ecca£on, all worihy ^OQimafii^ 
f canta;dQ^ as it were, put a crowa of gfor yi and hoooiir 
open Chttft^s head, . by re nouncmg fin, Sttan, and aU 
that had exerctfed donunion over them before, and gir- 
ing their full aAd hearty confent, that ChEift alone £ajl 
reign over them for e?cr. Chrifl is fo delighted wiA 
this, that he efteemsit as hU coronation day, Cant, iV 
-ix« O come then, and ^ield your hearts to Chrltt, and 
.pray that the conynunion day may bff a day of \\\% co* 
f€ ronation and conqueft, when linners fhaU give their fr^ 
and willing confent to the dethronmg of tSatan, and 
enthroning of King Jefus , come under Chriftfa. fceptre 
and governnient, and abandon all his enemies; for he 
hath bcft fight to the throne, and the jufteft title to reiga 
over you. 

7. A Communion Sabbath is a lively memorial and 
emblem of the evcrlafting Sabbath abovej and th^ hea- 
vcniy feall there, that (hall never end, which Chrtft hath 
purchafed and promifed to hie people. Why I becaufe 
on a Communion Sabbath here, there is an afTembling 
of God's people to give thanks for redeeming love^ and 
to feed upon Chrilt and his purchafe, with ftti*fa£lio« 
and fcM:g8 of praife. In like manner, in the heavenly 
Sabbath, there will be a great gathering of all the faints 
through all the world, to admire and^iraifc God for re- 
deeming goodnefs, and to fit down and feaft with Chi ift 
for ever, upon the benefits of his purchafe. O how 
great is the plenty, variety, the fuhiefsof provifion and 
/arisfadion which isat the upper table! there they feed 
upon erei/jal redemption from Uell-wid wrath, perfert 
freedom J ram fin and S^taui ^u^U^m ^V ^'S\cMv:i^% » 
wad comt^mit^i They fc€du^otvi\^^^wt\Qu%^\^lw«t \ 



ADVICES. 203 : 

of Gcd in human nature, the conftant (likings- of hia 
face, and iiitimalions of his love; the bright difcove- 
ries cf the works of God in creation and prov'dence,. 
and efpeciriliy in the redemption of men by Chrift. 
Ancijin this fciliv:il they hive perfefl fatisfadtion, joi- 
ned uith eternal fongs of praife. But OJiow far will 
the Communion Sabbath above excc;! t.'iole we have 
here betow! Here .^'c are oit put to rai^ our praifes 
v/ith mourning and tt:irs, becauic of fm prevailing, or 
the Spirit wiihd/awing. H.^re Judafes and unworthy 
guells thrutl in among che difcipivis, but at the higher 
table there is no fuch mixture, all is pure and holy, and 
there is nought to alia; their jp/r Here our Commu- 
r.ion Sabbaths are fooa over, and have rii^^hts, week- 
days, and trials to fucceed tlicm; but the Comaiiinioa 
Sabbath above, the feaft, niufic, and the afll^mbly are. • 
everlafting, without iateriLi'tion or unedfincfs of any 
fort, O then improve thei': ihori: Sabbaths, as memo- 
rials and means to prepare you for this cvcrlallingS ib-' 
bath ; and in all ordinances here, keep yuur eye upoa 
the heavenly feftival, ^ 

A D VI C E XX. 

From jferfniiah iii. 19. 
Howjhali Iput thee among the Children / TtjouJJjalt call 

tne, my Father, 
^^T^HOUGH there be great mountains of difficultiei 
X in the way. cf finners falvation, yet God, in his 
free mercy, hath f jund out an expedient to get over 
them 5 even by making choice of God as our God and 
Father in Chrift— That you may admire \iu grace the 
rnore, take a view of the difliculites that lie in the way. 
God might fay, « How fliall I pu: thee among the chil- 
* dren* of my family, who are the offspring of apoilatc 
and rebellious parents, who ungratefully departed from 
God without any provocation, ibid themfelves to the de- 
vil to do his drudgery, and. rebelled againll a molt gra- 
cious God, and loving. Father? And l\o^ \^\^\VV^xiX. 
you, that have finned after the f\miVk\xd;i qI k.-^ajxv^ •^- 
woDg my children ^ How fhall I bt ieeouc\V^ ^^^ "^^"^^ 
treacherous dealers ?— Again he nihx^t ^3.>j , * W^^'* '^'^ 



190 SACRAMENTAL 

. tliefe bleffed wounds of Jefos for Tafetjr: ^Afbfgoei 
« comfort,' O finner, < Rife, he calleth thee-,*' Tifc mi 
come, for there is yet room ; forfake- all fajfe (helters 
and lying refuges. Abfolute mercy, a blafMlefs walk, 
conVfdtions, refolutions, prayers, tearsj ordinances, itil» 
niSerfr will not be a hiding place to yo^, if Chffift be 
ne^IeAed; Nothing can Satisfy juflice, or icrem^fAiai 
wvath, but the wounds and blood #f th4s liLedeffner,*, 
therefore fee to make thefe only yourc^v^rt and hiding i 
place, 3 

It concerns alt to try if tliey haire ||ol intb tllra bidiig ; 
place^ and if they be among Chrift'a •hidden enes^* fe ; 
DelieTers are called, PfaL hxxiiir ^ ' If ymi be amei^ 
the hidden ones, fou wiH have a hidden me, ^iid-beap- j 
qnainted with a life of fecret prayer^ and comfpMi- ' 
. cnce with heaven, and a life of faitk ind leaois^^upM-^ 
the Son of God; yofk'U have^dea fbodt inaattiit/-| 
world knows not of, the hiddeh-Bimiiia of eWuiWik# 
with God. You'll have hidden clothing, antf ;l^ao'. 
quainted with putting off your own rag«, and putting 
on the hidden garment or ChriftV righteoufnefs. — 
You'll have hidden ftrength, and be acquainted with j 
borrowing ftrength from Chriit both for work and I 
warfare. — You'lllive upon hidden fupports in dark and 
clamitous times, and draw comfort from the promifes, 
and make thefe the ground of your hope. — If you be in 
Chrift as your hiding place, you'll be among Chrift's 
poor and needy ones^ for it is to fuchhe is a refuge, Ifa. 
XXV, 4. Do you fee your own emptinefs, iUdeferving$, 
and infufiiciency, ard depend upon free mercy for e- 
very crumb ? Are you ilill begging at a throne of grace, 
and inclining to exalt free grace? Saying, « Not unto 
• us, but to Chrift be the glory ;* he is * all our falvation 
« and all our de fire.' Jiappy are they who can lay claim 
to thefe marks. 

"" A D V i C E. XVil. . 

From I Kingstix.g^ 
Tie Lord /aid unto him^ WbaX do/l. ibou btrr, 'EJijab? 
' T is the concern of every man, to \>^ aVvi^^^ Va ca.Kft. v^ 
give ^ccciint to Gcd of lAatix^tii ^*A ^tX\^Va^- 



ADVICES. ir>i 

very piece of work he is employed in ; and fo ought 
communicants at the Lord's table, wh^m God or his 
miniftersalk rhem, as the Lord did Elijah, What doft 
thou here, communicant? What is your bufinefs and 
errand at this table? Can you fay, I have many errands 
here; I come, upon my Saviour s call, to celebrate jhc 
memorial of his dying love, that his n:ime may be re- 
menibercdto all generations? And ' wonhy is the Lamb 
* that was llain' to be admired, adored, and praifed for 
ever. — Icomealfo to fubfcrlbe au<i foal a marr«wgecon- 
tr-dCi with him in the molt folemn manner, before all 
the perfons of the glorious Trinity, before the eleifl an- 
gels, and before a!i the congregation. Seeing Chrift 
doth once more callms to it, aftor many a broken tryft, 
" ^nd hafh put onhis ma rraige robes, his dyed garment?^ 
to win and engage my heart, I come to join hands 
M'ith him before God, angels, and men, and take them 
all witnedes to the bargai-n. Surely this is a good er- 
rand: O that the long fpokcn of match may now hoid. 
Can you fay, I am come to a rich and liberal Savi- 
our, to fupply my needs out of his fulnefs. I come on' 
a good day when he ufes to deal bountifully with the 
poor and needy, and to fay to them, as the King to Eit- 
her, « What is thy petition? and what is thy requeft?' 
— Well, is thy petition ready ? Doft thou come with 
the publican's petition, * God be merciful to me a fin- 
« ncr?' Or with David's petition, < liOrd be merciful ■ 

• to me i heal my foul, for I have fmn^d aguinit thee?* 
Or with that petition, «' Purge me with hy/ljp, and I 

• ;hall b3 clean } wafn me, and I flrall be whiter thaa 

• the fnow?' Or with that, '-Let my foul live, and it 

• Ihall praife theer' Or do you come with tlie Spoufe's 
petitions and requefts, < Draw me, and we will run af- 

• ter thee ? A «^'ake O north wind j and come thou fouth ; 

• blow upon my garden, that the fpices thereof may 
« flow outr' Surely thcfe petitions are agreeable to your 
Redeemer; feo that you infill upon them, and prefa 
for an anl'wer. Study to liave a lively fetVYc^*^ -^n. ^^k^^ 
time of all yoar wanta. — Would p\x Vva^M^ x!fta\-v\ •^V^'^- 

^IJcdat ou^cf Th^'n come and ett\bt^« ^ civx^iva*^^ 

Q 2. 



192 SACRAMENTAL 

fu8 la the arms of faith, and he \j^ill fully anfwer them 
alt- Would you hare all your five fenfes fatisfied at 
once? Behold Chrift invites you to come to him to get 
it don?. — ^^WouLd you have the fenfe of feeing>fatisfied ? 
' Then he fays to you * J^ook to fpe> and be ye faved.^- 
Behoid me, behold nief! « Bfchpld King Solomon, with • 

• tht crOwn* on his head! — ^Would you have the fenfe 
of hearing fatisfied? Then faith he, « Incline thine ear, 

* hearken iq me; give ear to my voic^.'—- Would you 

. have the fenfe of- tafting. fatisfied? He faith < O taftc ' 

. '♦and fee that God is good.'— Would you have the 

ftnfecf touching fatisfied? lie faith « Reach hither thy 

^ hand, thruft it into my fide;' feel the wounds miade 

, by the fpear an^ the tiail&. — Would you have the fenfe 

, of fmclling fatisfied? Coinc then to Chrift, whofe ', 

• name is as oifitn^cnt poured forth;' and whofe gat- 
{ menis fmell of aloes, myrrh, and cafiia/ Come«here 
and get ail your fpiritu^l fenfes fatisfied at Chrift's full 

^ feaft. 

Obje^, But I am afraid I am not among thefe invited 
guefts that Chritl will make welcome. Anfw. Have 
you jyiy of the fcfipturc charadlers of thofe that Chrift 
mvitps? Are you among his friends? Dp you wifli 
well to hi» caufe andintcrcft? then Chrift faith to you, 
« Eat O friends,' Cant. v. i . Is your heart open toChrift's 
offers, and willing to accept him iiv ail hisoiEces? 
Then he faith to luch, he ' \viil come in and iup with 
them,' Rev. iii. 20. Doth your heart bvehim? Then 
he faith. He « will manifelt himteiP to luch, John xiv. 
21, Are you poor and needy? Then he faith, < The 
« needy (hail not be forgotten,' Pfal. ix. i8, — Do you fee 
yourfclf a loft finner? Then he faith, \\< is * come to 

* fcek and calf fuch, Luke xix. 10. Matth. ix, 13. — Do 
you leel fin to be a heavy jMjf den ? Theahe bins the 
< heavy laden come to him,* KKtth. xi. 28*. Do you hun- 
ger ard thirft for Chrift? He faith, He « iiih the hun- 
«^ry with good things,' Luke i. 53. Are you fenhble 

oH b'dK k/Iidings ? He invites tuch'to come to him, Jer. 

iii\ J 4 Arc you dv.firou8 to put Q)x\ vW vi^^^^m*^ ^^^t- 

mcnt of impxxitd righuouCucfo? T\y^ttjX»\i^ Wx't^>^^>x 



A D V I c K s:. i^^ 

fliall neither be excladvjd, nor n^gleiled.— -D> you es^r-- 
neiUy feek for liis Holy S-)irit? He aflures you, he is 
more willing to * give the Spirit to tlicm that aflc it> 

• than loving pirents are to g;ve bread to th^ir hungry 

• children.' What is men's compaffion to their chil- 
dren, in comparifon of Chriit to his' Well then, you 
may rcil on Chriil's word; for he is not more free in 
n-aking promifes, than faithful in making them good, 
llo is a God that • keeps covenant to a thoufand gene* 

• rations.' Venture then upon his word, and come to 
his table with hops and cxpeclation to get all your 
wants fupplied. 

Let tv,c again aflc you, as God did Elijah, * What 

• dod thou here,' communicant? Can you fay that you 
fti-e come to gtjt a heart aifecling fight of the blood and 
wounds of the glorious Redeemer, fo as you may love 
Chrift, and hate fin more then ever? That is a good 
errand, and what God will furely approve. Come then, 
draw near, as it were, to the foot of the Crofs, and 
take a narrow and clofe vicjw of his wounds, and of the 
blood that ftreams from them. Obferve how faft thi 
blood runs down from his hands to the ground, falter 
than ever tears run down from your eyes for fyi, that 
caufed the Ihedding of his blood! Chrid is not fparin^ 
of his blood for you, however fparing you be of your 
tears for him.-— Draw yet nearer, and lay your ear to 
his woundc,.efpecially his live big wounds in his hands^ 
feet, and fide*, which, like fo many ihouths, are wide 
opened ^to fpeak to believing communicants. Lilten. 
and hear what they fayj Wnat is the language of the 
two wounds in his* hands? « Come to mc, and call 

• your guilty foul into my bleeding out-(lretcaed arms^' 
send I'll fave you irojOythe fworcl of J u. tics. — *»Lay- 
your ear to the two wornds in^his feec, .and hear wAat 
they lay, * Run to me^.and cait yourfeif dowaat my 

• feet,' and Til protect you. from the avenger of blood. 
—Hearken to the deep wound vn, \\\^ vx^-^^ ^^S'^^v^v 
'Flee to m€,\0 trcnibling dove^ * vciWVWNx^V^-^-^ ^^'^^ 

^In this cleft of the rock;' Ciioxx \\2k!&. wo>« ^^'^\"^'!-^? 
to (he s^k, behold the window ojtace^ vckX\^ ^^^^^^ ^^ 



194 SACRAMENTAL 

look in at it, and fee my heart burfaing .with love? Tea, 
«/thruft,in thy hand to toy fide* unbelieving Thomast 
and * feel my bleeding "heart* how warm it is to you, 
and • be no more faithlefs, but believing.' 
* O communicant, can fou come to the foot of Chriil's 
crotb^ .and fee his wound?, and hear JTuch language, and 
yo|ir heart not be zfft£kcd with love to Chrift, and ha- 
4:red to l^n ? Can you behold Chrifl: thus cfueHy ufed, 
irailed to the tree, bleeding and dying \in yout rooml 

^ X^n you fee the heavens turning blackj the fun draw- 
ing in its head, the earth <}uaking, and the rocks rend- 
ing at the fufierings of thci Son of Ood^ and your heart 
not quake for fin, that awakened the fword of Juflice 
againft hiin as our furety !-.— Q what canfc have vou 
40 be aChamedof the hardnefs and unconcernedneis. of 
your heart at fuch a fight, and to cry to God thatihe 
heart of (lone may be changed into an heart of flelbp. 
and tha( the fire of Chriil's love may defcend and kin- 
dle fuch a flame in your foul, as may melt your frozen 
afieflions, and confume the ilubble of your luils and 
corruptions. Of old the Lord ufed to anfwer hispeo- 

^ pie's prayers and facrifices by fire from heaven : Pray 
that he may anfwer your'sln like manner, by kindling 
a holy fite in your foul, as he did in the hearts of the two 
difciples going to Emmaus; even atwofoldfire, to wit, 
a fire of love to Chrift, and^a fire of indignation againit 
fin. O love the Lord Jefus as your treafure and por- 
tion*, let your tfioughts be mainly, upon him, and your 

. jfoul's breathings after him. Be much concerned for 
his intereft and. caufe, and for the fpreading of his 
kingdom and glory in the world. And be looking out, 
and longing for the fulland perfeA. enjoyment of him. 
•—Like wife keep up a ftron^ averfion to fin, and to 
"what is oppofite to Chrift, aiid injurious to his intered 
>and kingdom I' look always upon fin as the grand en^- 
my and murderer of Chrift; and therefore dp not fparc 

"ih- . :"• ■■■ ' • .. . 



ADVICES. ♦ 195 

ADVICE XVIII. 

From yok/i V. 6. 
'jefui faith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole ? 

THIS miraculous healing pool of fiethefda^ at 
which the impotent man had lain thirty-eight 
years, was a type of the Meffiah, and the fountain of 
his blood opened and fee f )rth in gofpcl-ordinances, 
for healing all our fpiritual difeafes. And Chrift's mCf 
thod of healing this man teaches us^ That if we 
would be healed, we muft be willing to wait at the 
pool of ordinances, till the fpirit come to ftir the wat- 
ters, apply the blood, and elFecl th^ cure. And in the 
mean time, we muU be fenfiblc of our difeafe^ and look 
up to Chrift our great Phyfician, with earned defires 
for healing. This is imported in Ciirift's qucftion-,. 
< Wilt thou be made, whole?' 

O communicants, you are difeafed by fm, and the 
plagues of ypur hearts J thefe have blalted the primi« 
tive beauty of the foul, and brought on it a ghaltly de- 
formity, with much pain and weaknefs. Your difeafes 
are manifold; atheftical thoughts, miibelief, and igno- 
rance of God's truths, are woful plagues ^ harduefs of 
heart, and earthly mindednefs, formality, and heart- 
wanderings in duty, trulling to your own righteoufnefi, 
ingratitude, and backflidings from God; thefe are dif- 
eafes you ought all to be fenfible of. God would have 
« every man to know the plague of his own heart/ i 
Kings viii. 38. in order to his being made whole. 
Thefe are the fick that Chriil is ready to come to heal 
Match, ix, 12. Qlirift firit makes men fick and fenfible 
before he makes them whole. Have you then any ac- 
quaintance with this healthful preparatory ficknefs? 
Have you been made fenfible of the dangerous nature of 
your difeafe, and thoughtful and folicitous about the iffue 
of It? Have vou been made to groan and moan undier 
the burden of your difeafe, faying, < I dn\ \.\o>^\t.\ -^^cw^ . 
• bow^d down greatly, I go moutmu^^VxJckfc^v^'^^'^'^ 
BstYc you fecn there is no hea^ngiu ^o>xtltV*«^> ^ '^'^ 



J96 ^ SAiZRA^MENTAE 

tfiat It IS only in Chrifl, who hath an infinite fulnefi 
of merit and fpirit to fuit your defperate malady? Afe 
I, you willing to fubmij to the phyfician^s prefcriptions for 
healing? Be the pill or potion never fo bitter, you wiU 
' fi'allo^lr it: is it your cryj « Lord, what wilt thou h«rc 
' me to do ?' Thefe arc tokens of a right preparatory 
ficknefs. May the Holy Spirit work them in juhu 

Thie.great meritorious means of your healing ts the 

Ifldod of Jefus Chriftj which is^fet before you tn-ehe/fa* 

^^. crament, for you to look to and "apply bf *faiich. At 

the Ifraelites were made fenGble of thefr fting9*befbre 

they locked to the brazen fcrpcnt for healing, fo mud 

ye, in order to your prizing dTCSirflt, and locking to 

lis Wood for healing your f{)iiritiuL plagues. Now the 

fountain is open, and the healing. ftreamfi run freely on 

•^ both fides of ^he table: Come then, ^ith a feeling of 

*' your difeafcs, and bathe in them for curing yaur hard 

: hearts, your blind eyes, your weak hands, your feebtc 

knee?, yOuF hme feet, and cold aflFeftions.^— O tmpo- 

. tent man, are you lying at the fide of the pool while 

- the waters are ftirring? Have you no ftrerigth to move 

forward, and is there none to put you in? O then, . 

look up to Chrift, that healed the irupoteiit msn after 

many years waiting : Look to him by faith, as he calls 

you, Ifa. xlv. a2. * Look unto me, and be ye faved, all 

•^^he ends of the earth.* As I dfFer myfelf to every dif- 

eafed foul in pirticular, as well as to all in general, fo 

let every foia* embrace me as his Saviour, and apply 

my blood to his particular difeafe». Faitti is a healing 

grace, not only its touches, but its very looks are heal' 

ing j hence Chrifl faid to feverals who were healed, 

« Thy faith iiath made thee- whole.* O fee then if you 

.have got this. healing faith. 

^i/^/. How may I know if my faith be of this kind? 
. Atilw. A heiling faith will make the foul heartily ap- 
jjrove the gofpei method, of falvation, embrace God's 
teltimony^ and cloie with hi& got^ftV ^^ffer in.all rcfpedb. 
^nd It hdth m it, an appto^t\aiVTi'^u>3.^ «A ^^\&« I 
dence in the merit and viitaeoi C\«VvV%\^^<ATrC^txA > 
^ the finacr in pariiQuVax fox 1»^ ^&»v\^^>aR^^>^^ 



ADVICES. i()7 

which makes him reft upon Chrift as his Saviour, and 
venture his foul and falvation upon his merit and pro- 
mife. In this healing faith of a di leafed finner, there 
is a particular acceptance of, and confiicnce in a cruci-, 
fied Chrid, correfpondingto that free gofpel-ofFer which 
he makes cf himfelf to the diilrefled foul. This faith 
brings him to a fixed refolutionto lie at the phyfician's 
dooT, and depend upon him .\Ione for healing. And it 
makes him call open all the doors and rooms of his foul 
to receive and entertain this phyfician. Now, O poor 
impotent foul, if there be fuch a faith as this wrought" 
in thee, then thy faith in Chrift maJces thee wiiol^. 
The hcahug balm is applied, the cure begun, ai:d Ihall * 
fhortly be perfected. * Be of good chcar, thy Cvn ar^ 
* forgiven thee J Jefus Chrilt maketh thee whole. ^ , 

It concerns you -alfo, to try if xhe happy fruits and 
cfFecls of this healing faith appear in^ou, wh-^r^iby 
you may conclude, that the ftrcngih of your d.ij^fe is 
broken, by virtue of the blood of Chrift; and th;:t yju 
have got it appHr.dfor curmg your heart-atfecifm, hard- 
ncfs, unbeli.t, pride, carnality, and particularly youc 
>veukuef& of hands and feeblenefs of knees: So that^ 
though formerly tiiey were fo' weak and feeble, that 
yoa could not lift up the one, nor bow down the other 
in prayer with any fervency and hvclinefs, yet now it 
is otherwife: T/ien this is a good token theftrength of 
the oife*fe is> brjivc-n. CUriit has taken you into his 
hofpital, and ha& you u.idcr cure, by the daily applica- 
tion ot iiis blood and fpirit, and you are^on the vvay of 
recovery. — ^Can yOa lay furt.^^rr, i'nat your droagnt is 
grcaily abats;d, your thirit alter dn and the world; and 
that your appetite for loultood, coiununion wita Ciirift 
in ordiaanccb, is luppuy jncreafeu? Can you bciar the 
light better than beiore r* Do you love fearchmg (er- 
nions? *ill tnde are good lign^ — Have you a high e- 
ftcem ot your phylician, and do you entertain iiim 
kindly when ne viliu you? tidvc you recovered more 
itrength and wihui^nefa to fcrvc hvetv \tv \^\^ >«>'^ ^\ 
coinmiLndtd dutkh i And hdve ^ou 3i tvo\^ i^^'^ •a^:vv\>p^- 
loaiy ot every tiling that ni\g)\t A>\vti^ ow •*. ^^-^^ ^^ 
ate? your oJd^ diiUmpciii Tacii t\v^t*t \^ ^^o^l ^vo^ 



/ ^398 ^^SACKAMENTAIt 

• through-grace, that your' faith is 9 healing fpth^ the 
work of healing is beguft, and {0 far earned on, Chrift 

. ^ is our rockiandhis worK is perfc<5l, 
- :. " O then itudy to be thankful to*your great phyficbn^ 
feying, < What (hall I render unto the Lord'ft^ all his 

* benefits tow^ards me ? Blefs the Lord, O my foul, and 

* "forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine 
• « iniquities, healeth all thy dxfeafes, atd redeooieth thy 

« foul from deftru£Vion; who reneweth thy youth U^ ; 

* the eagtes, maketh thee run and not wcai^^ walk add ; 

* not faint.— Blefled be the God and Father of our Lord 
■ • Jefos Chrift,^ who, accprdin^r to his abundant metcjf, 

* hath begotten us again to a livt:ly hopCi by the refur^ 

* re£lion of Jefus'ClHrilt from the dead y to an inh:?ri- 

* tance inrcrrruptible and undefilcdf.«t|id that fadeth not 
< a way I refcr?ed ip he^vea for tts/ Then the cure 
fliall be fully ]|5rfe^ed, and we ftiair dwell ^U ays be- 

,^ . fide our phyfician, and enjoy perfect and uninrerrapttd 
health for ever and ever. — Exprefs^ your thankfulncfs 
while you -ire here, by being witneffee for Chriil, thin- 
i»g as lights before others, commending Chrlil and hi* 
ways to them, hating all fin, ablUining ffom it; repro* 
ving fin in others, and teftifying againft it. Be meek 
and lowly in your carraige, deal uprightly with all menj 
love all that bear Chrill's image ; be zeilous for family 
religion, for fanftifying the Sabbath, and attending on 
God's ordinances. Pray carnedly for the coming of 
Chrid's kingdom upon the earth, and do ail you can to 
promote it. 

Watch and pray again ft backfliJings, andreUpfes in-, 
to old diitempers, and for that end be humbJeand fislf-* 
diffident, be denied to your own ftrength and condud,. 
and be always jealous of your corrupt and deceitful 
hearts. < Live by faith upon the Son of God/ looking 
to him both for righteoufncfs'and ilrength. And bc- 
caufc you are environed with enemies, * put on the 

* whole armour of God, that you may be able to Itand 
' agdinllth^ wiles of thedevil.' ^ U '\% not the armour of 

Xour own refolutions, it h iVie ^kxr^ovxt xii Ca^^^ ^s^xi. 

^^<? graces of t Jie Spirit. It Vs uotlotcvi ^wit& ^x ^-j^xk 

<^^tJrat armoar, it ib the vrhoU ^xetv^t^ ^>^\\^^>c.^x^-^ 



ADVICES. j^p 

an graces* - It is not enough to have the armour ia 
the hoiife, or grace in the habit; no, it rauft be put 
en, daily worn and cxercifed. God hath provided dif- . 
fcrent pieces of armour for you, the fword of the Spirit, 
the Oweld of faith, the hehnet of hope, the breaft-plate 
of righteoufncfs ; but there is nothing for the back^for 
God difowns run-aways, Heb.x. 38. * If any man drav 
back,' &c. 

ADVICE XIX. 

From Exod. xii. 14. 
^rtJ this day Jkall be unto you for a memorial , 

AS the Paffovcr feaft was a memorial both of the de- 
liverance from Egypt, aiid the redemption by 
Chrift ; fo a Communion Sabbath is a memorial of fun- 
dry remarkable things, and ought to be held as a mod 
memorable day by every believer, as it brings to our re- 
membrance the greateft events and bleffings. 

I. A Communion Sabbath is a lively memorial of- 
Chrift's death; for the facramentadminiflered that day 
by breaking bread, and pouring out wine, is a vifible 
reprefentation of Chrift's deatli, by the breaking of 
Cnrill's body, and pouring forth his blood on the crofs; 
an event which God will have remembered to the end 
of the wwld, and through ail eternity. Why, becaufc 
by it God's perfeftions are highly glorified, and the e« 
left world redeemed from hell. Chrift did inftitute 
the ordinance to be a ftandiug monument of his death 
while the world ftands, i Cor, xi. 26. < as often as ye eat 
« this bread, and drmk this cup, ye do flicw the Lord's 
« death till he come ' And a monument of the wonder- 
ful loveol Gcd ingiving his Son, and of the Son in giving 
himfelf to be a i'acriiice for our fins, who were utterly 
unworthy of his love. )^>j this memorial God would 
teach us the incftimable value- of Chrill's death, as the 
greateft obligation he ever put upon the world, and 
that we ought to declare our gratitude Vo Oo«\ i^x \\«. 
hvoar in the moil open and pubWc m^\mc\ ^ -acvx^ x^^, 
opda Chriil's death and facri&ce ?is x\v<i i^utv^^w^ ^"^ 



ii4 SACRAMENTAL 

Ezck. xxxvi. 26, 28. Jer. iii. 22. i. John ii. i. Rom. 
xvi. 7oAUh. xiii. c. He fills them with the intimationi 
of the pardon of their fins, and with peace and joy in 
believing, Rom. xv. 13. fo ss to banifh their doubts and 
fcarc What a fwcet fill doth Chrift's voice gire them, 
fuch as that in Matth. ix. 2. Luke xxiv. 36, 38. John 
xiv. 27. Rom. viii. i. He fills them with refolation and 
ftrength to conquer fin, perform duties, refiit tempta- 
tionsy and bear afiiictions; when he fpeaks -to them 
as to Paul, 2 Cor. xii. 9. or as in Ifa. xli. zo. and xlii. 
a- He fills them by giving them fweet returns of prayer, 
aflurance of his love, and of his gracious prefence with 
them. He fills them, by making over ChriR's fulnels 
and purchafe to them, and by giving them Pifsiah views 
of the proniifed land, and will at lad fill them with 
glory. 

It is only the hungry that (hall be filled, the needy, 
the humble, and felf-denied, for < the rich are fcnt cmp- 
• ty away,' Luke i. 53. the rich, that is thofe who are fill- 
ed with a conceit cf their own ftrength and fufiiciency, 
their gifts ?rd performances, and go about to eftablilh 
a rightv^oufnefs of their own, and fee not their need of 
ehrifl : Thcfe fhuU go empty away, for they do not 
rrize Chrift, nor are willing to come up to his terms. 
They go away empty of Chrift and his riches; but a- 
lis, tlicypo away filled with pride and felf-conceit, fill. 
led whh icve to ('.n, Icvc to tlie world, and love to their 
own ri^^I tcrcufnuio. Oh this is a mifcrable fill! 

O liungry fculs, blefs God that gives you this appe- 
tite : when cfhcrs are rich and full in their own con- 
e-it, labcur to rr^lerve this apptice, and wait about 
Ggg's lic!.fc znC tab);.-, where foul food is to be had; 
and bid's I.iir. even lor ihe fmalleit crumb?, as wlien he 
jT-ves ycu a greater hatred cf fin, a higher efteem of 
Chrii^, a i;rc.'.ter defire aft<;r iieartholinefs, a reftlciTncfs 
wiiliout Cliiiit, a v/illingnefs 10 part with all for Chrift, 
or llrcngcr reloulntions to cleave to Chrilt and duty. 
Thefe crunibo arc worthy of thanks, though ye bj not 
/jJIed with joy and peace "\u Wi\^\Y\\^. \N^\v ^wthc 
Lord, a;:d wait for him iu^iN^^^' eiOviu^xvoi^ ^^'^ '^viX^ 



ADVICES. Us 

of his appointrcent, believing him to be faithful who. 
hath faid, * They Ihall not \^t afhatYied who wait for 
< me.' 

Ohje^. Some may fay, V/c have waited long, and 
have not go^ a xrumb. Anpw^ Some eminent faints 
have been put to cry, * How long wilt thou forget me, 
« Lord, fhall it be for ever,' Pfal. xiii. But they mult 
"wait in the ufe of means until God's time come, and 
adore thefovereignty of God in his dealings with them. 
His people have refigned thcmfelves to the cara and 
wifdom of God, who knows what isbifc for them*, b*:- 
lieving there is a time coming wh:n God will maice up 
all their loiius. O believers there is a fill remaining 
for ycu abpve, that will foon make you forget all your 
days of fcarcity here belovA 

ADVICE. XXUL 

From Pfalm cvii. 2. 
Let the redeemed of ihe Lord fay fo. 



WHAT is it fuch perfons (hould fay ? Let them 
both fay and fing of God^s goodnefs and mercy 
to them-, for (of all men) the * redeemed of the Lord* 
have moil reafon to be thankful forChrift's dillinguifh- 
ing mercy in freeing them from the law's curfes and Sa- 
tan's power, from the guilt, dominion, andpunilhment 
of fin; from the fting of death and Ae wrath to come. 
Believers are redeemed both from fin and hell. ^ 

^lefi^ How may I know if I be among thefe hapajr 
ones, < the redeemed of the Lord?' Anf Take thele 
marks. — Did you ever fee your flavery and bondage by 
nature, fo that no lefs than an infinite price and pow- 
er couldranfom and libsrately.o.u? — Was you fo convin- 
ced and humbled with the fight of your mifery, as to be 
content of freedom from it on any terms? — Have you 
ventured your foul on Chrift's merit and mercy, con- 
form to gofpel-offers, being well pleafed with the frame 
of the new covenant, and the felf-denyin^wvjciCC-^H\\\'^. 
foubb/ Chrift's imputed rightcoutua^^.'i — Kx^^^^^^;^* 
teat with Chriit to be your iCmg^u^ *.>)\a^v>Si^^^^'*^ 

S z 



2i6 SACRAMENTAL 

your Pricft and Saviour? — Have you giyen up yowr. 
iiclf to the Lord to live for him, defirous that his love 
may always conftrain you to do his will? — O then, 
you may conclude, you are among « the redeemed of 
* the Lord/ and that his bleifed body was broken, and 
his blood i'lied to ranfom you. 

Peculiar reafons have you to extol his gOodnefs and 
mercy above others. Why ? he hath opened your eyes 
to fee the beauty of your Redeemer, and the ways of 
holiiiefs, when others remain in blindnefslr— He hath 
opened your ears t6 hear the joyful found, and fall iri 
with it, when others are deaf to it! — He hath loofed 
your tongues to pray and praife, when others are dumb 
and tongue-tied I — He hath opened your hearts to en- 
tertain Chrift crucified, when others (hut him outi— 
He hath brought you to a feeling- of the evil and bur- 
den of fin, when others are without feeling! — He hath 
given you appetites for fpiritual food, v/hen others re- 
Ji:h nothing but things earthly ? — He hath given you the 
promifc and hopes of complete redempticn from fin 
znd mifery above, when others live without Chrill and 
without hope ! — Let the * redeemed of the Lord* then 
Wv.ff and pr&ife him above all others. 

O believing communicant, « redeemed of the Lord/ 
give him thanks, and exprefsyour thankfulnefs by your 
thoughts and adlions, as well as your words; namely, 
by your high efteem of your Redeemer, and of his 
blood and righteoufnefs that purchafedallfcr you. — By 
avoiding every thing that diihonours him, and flying 
from the fins that are common and fafhionable where 
you live — By commending your Redeemer tothofe who 
know him not. — By (lariding up as witnefTes for him, 
and for his truths and ways, in the midft of a Chrift- . 
dcfpifing generation. — By ftricSlly obferving the Lord's 
day, as being a weekly memorial of redeeming love. — 
13y longing for the enlarging of Chrift's kingdom, ar,d 
rejoicing at the news of it, and by putting honour on 
a.'J iheJtnends and lovers of the Redeemer. 
jC^/^, Shew your thai\k^u\ntV^ >o>j ^\ti^vcv^ '^vAiw^^ 
I^fn:fj a:jd ipiritual fongs^ \n ^i^N^c ol \^e^^?:TO:\vv^ X^^i't^ 



ADVICES.. U1 

and of the Redeemer's perfoin officfesj^aiid fufFcntigs^ a 
fubjed that can never be cxhauftcd. Sing praifes to 
the great God, that humbled himfelf to leave his high 
throne,- that camfe down to dwell in flefli; and die for 
us; and to rife again, and to afcend to hcaven, to take 
poiTcffiori of the inheritance, and make accommodation. 
for us there. Oa this account the Spirit calls us four 
times to fing praifes in one breath, Pfalm xlvii. <5. * God 

* is gone up virith a fhout j fing praifes to God, fing 
< praifes; fing praifes unto our King, fing praifes/ 
This finging Is molt acceptable to God, and profitable 
to ourfelves. As God makes it the eternal work of 
heaven, fo he would have us frequently employed in it: 
on earth. But Oh! how do we fail here? Reformed 
churches abroad do far exceed us in the frequency of 
this duty, as they do in the variety and fweetnefs of 
their tunes. 

What is finging, but a kind of reading with medita- 
tion and deliberation, in order to give the more free 
Tent to the thoughts and afFedions to breathe and a- 
fcend heavenwards. The wife God inltitutes finging 
in his praife, becaufe the melody of the voice helps to 
atFect rhe heart, andraife the thoughts; • for he fcnow- 

* eth our frame.* And indeed, it is only when the 
heart correfponds with the voice, that themuficisplea-- 
fant to God; To thispurpofe one faith well; 

Sweet melody the hymn affords. 
When with the line* the hear: accords.^ 

let the Rede::nied fing praife, and give thankj to 
God for his unTpeakable gift, both now and for ever- 
more. AMEN. 

1 fhall add no more Sacrarr.ental Advices in the pre-, 
ceding method, but Ihali fhur up all with a clalftr of. 
fhort icripcufe directiot:*, propcT not only for commu- 
i^icants, but for ail CItfiitians triveliinjj hcavbnwaid. 



S3. 



A S H R T ■ 

CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY: 

CONSIS TI NO OF 

FORTY SCR1PTURE-DIRECTIQNS» 

I 
PROPER FOR ALL 

CHRISTIANS, INTENDING HEAVEN. 

TT ought to be the great concern of all baptifcd perCins 
-*' to renew their baptifmal covenant' betime*, and, by a 
private tranfa^tion with God, to take the baptifmal eh- ' 
gagements upon themfelvesy and thereby become Chrifti- 
ans by their own perfonal confent and furrender, as well 
SIS by their parents dedication ; and afterwards gp and feal 
this tranfadtion publicly^ by partaking of the Lord's fup- 
per. Concerning this I have given diredions in the 
Young Communicant's Catechifm. Only I would intreat 
all my readersi for Chrid's fake» and their own fouls fake, 
to beware of going about this work in a fupcrficialor formal 
manner, and of reDing upon lip-labour» and the external 
part of the duty. O never be cafy until you inwardly and 
heartily clofe with Chriil, according to the gracious gof- 
pel-oflfer which God makes unto you. Take no reft pill 
you get your fouls uniied to Chi id by a true faith, and 
favingly renewed and changed from nature to grace by the 
eTicacious working of the Holy Spirit in regeneration. 
And as you are to clofe with Chrift by faith in your fiKft 
converfion, fo you mull ftudy to live all your days a life 
of faith oa the Son of God, always making ufe of him^ and 
leaning on him for righteoufnefs and ftreagth. I Ihall fay 
no more by way of praface, but proceed to branch forth the 
Chviftian's v\oik and exercife in this lower world, in the 
following Scripture precepts and diredions. 

Direftion 1. Let never the world come in God^s room* 

Beware of the love of the world j often think upon that 

a;v:.ktning word, i. Jo\\n u. i^. * Love not the world, 

^neither the things that are \tv iVit vsotV^s^^^^l Tc.^x^Vis^ 

Uhe world, the love of the TtavVvetX^ xv^\.\^ Vwn? <^>b.^ 

th^t IS the ruifling fin of muUuud^^>\.WviViNt\5i,wA^si^' 



. CHRISTIAN DIRECTORY. if^ 

pUcency in, the things of the world. Nay the mod part 
of men are damned for loving the world too much, and 
loving God too little. Remember the fafler grips you take 
of the world, the loofer are your grips of Cbriil ; and the. 
more you get of the world, ye have the greater accouiit 
to make to Him that gives it, and has made you the iiew«r, 
ard of it j therefore ufe your money and goods for his fer- 
vice and honour: You mud anfwer for your riches, but 
your riches cannot anfwer for you. Alfo remember, if ye 
fet your hearts on the world, it will be all that you wfll get^ 
to have a competent portion of things earthly is a mercy,, 
but to have earthly things for our only portion is a dread- 
ful mifery. Wherefore, while your hand is in this world,, 
let your heart be in heaven* Let the buHnefs of your (buL 
be the bufinefs of your life. 

Dired. II. Kee/t u/> the fame opinion now of the things- 
ef the worid^ that you will have when you come to </fif.— ^ 
You fee what a U>w price men fet upon the riches, pomp, 
and glory of the world when they are dying : Had you. 
the fame thoughts of thefe things. now, 1 am fure you. 
would not venture the lofs of your fouls, the lofs of God's 
favour, the lofs of a good confcience, and the lofs of eter- 
nal glory, for a whole world ; far lefs for a fmall trifle of. 
it, as- many now do. Think much upon that text, Matth*. 
xvi. 26. 

Dire6l. III. Be not flrangers to yourfelves^ hut often contm. 
mune with your own hearts ; as directed, Pial. iv. 4. When, 
others are cenfuring and backi- biting their neighbours, be. 
you fearching and cenfuring youri'elves. Self-examinatiox^ 
18 a moft neceflary. duty. Examine yourfelvcs after every 
ordinance, what good you got by it, what eutcrtainment. 
you gave your Saviour \ aik now were your hearts aflc;c« 
ted by fucb a word, &c. Commune' with your hearts a* 
bout your title to heaven : Judge of your eternal liate by 
yo^r fpiritual ilate, and judge of your fpirltual Uate b/ 
tiie delightful and cuftomary actions of yuur lives, judge of 
it by your hatred of .fin, and love to Chriil, and by the 
conlicience you make of fecret prayer, and reading God's 
word, in communing with your hearts, among other 
things, aik yourfclves, what are likelle^ \^^ V^^ ^^>^x ^^:.'^l^^!c^ 
hed^tbougbts aad wifhcs ? WilV Uie.7 tio\.>at K.\xOck •&& vci^^'^ 
O ibatl bad loved Chria more^ «Lttd \Vl^ '^'^^'^^^^^^* >^ 



220 CHRISTIAN 

I Lad accepted Chrift's calls and offers more readily ! O 
that I bad fpent more time in prayer and fearching the 
fcviptures ! O that 1 had been more fpiritual and fervent 
in every duty ! A(k yourfelves, what are thofe fins or prac- 
tices which C'ill be moil frightful to look back on, when 
you fee yourfelves juil within a Hep of God's tribunal ? 
Study always to keep up death-bed thoughts of things. 
Commune with your hearts about thefe things upon your 
bed, and alfo before you go to bed, let confcience bring in 
the accounts of every day before you lie down ; mourn 
over tke iins of every day, and apply the blood of Chrift 
fur v^aflting them away. Thus keep fhort reckonings with 
God iind confcience, that you may not have, old fcores to 
clear wl^en you come to a death-bed. Likewtfe at thefe 
communings, let every man afk himfelf^ what is my prefent 
ftate r.nd condition ? Would I be willing to lie down and 
(lie in the frame and difpodtion I am in jud now i And 
I know not hut I may be as near death this moment, as if 
my friends were looking on me (Iruggling with the pangs 
of death on my bed. 

Direct. IV. Btgin early in the fer vice of God ^ and give 
him the days of youths Eccl. xii. I, Thofe who are young 
canr.ct begin their fervice to God too foorj ; Gcd deli res 
it, to fl.ew God's delight in early piety. We fee the Scrip- 
ture commends younf; ones for it 5 it is recorded with ho- 
nour, that the child Samuel nr.inillercd to the Lord, i S.im. 
ii. 18. Jofiah is commended for his tender heart fjr Gcd 
in his tender years, 2 Kings xxii. 19. Chrill was well 
pleafird with the hofannahs of the children that attended 
him, Matth. xxi. 15, 16. When Solomon in his youth fought 
God fcr wifdom, it is faid, * the fnocch pler-fcd the Lord, 
I Kings iii. 10. So Timothy is con^.-iicnd^J for his eatly 
pletv, 2 Tim. iii. 15. And God iliys to Ilrcal, * I remen- 
* ber the kindnefs ot thy youth,' J,r. ii. 2. And he recom- 
mends to every one to begin luon, Lccl. x!i. i. 'Jhe 
ycuog difciple was r.ioft beloved, anJ ler.-.e'} en Cljriii's 
bofom. — Now is the piop^T ti:i;e, O younij ptoj'lt, fcr 
making your acquaintr,iice wiih Goj, and for hying w :?.c>Gd 
foandation for the time to com:?. l*epenr.ance is e.iilcit in 
yroungtr years ; iin is then bfs rooted, Satan's grips hfi 
faflcned, gjfpd offers are not lo ■i\\£;a\.td, xVi b^\^a 'v^ wa 
^o much qacnclic'J, the couvcvence t\o\. ^v> WAv\^o.«i<\, Vc.- 
cart is then mure cafily mdvcd ?Lud bi-^'^.kvck, O A v-^V^ 



DIRECTORY. iii 

tbe male of his flock, the beft of your time, O then let hin 
have it. If you forget God when young, it is juft vvlth 
God to forget and neglect you when old. 

Dired. V. Shun tbe company tba$ Jhunt God, and heef^ 
the company that God keeps , ffal. cxix. 63. 115, Prov, xiii.. 
20. Look on the fociety of the carnal or profane as infec- 
tious, but reckon ferious pi-a^^ng perfons the excellent oncfr 
of the ea]>th. Such will ferve to quicken you when dead, 
and warm you when cold. Make tbe Uvelied of God's 
people your greatcfl intimates \ and fee that theii love and 
likenefs to Chrid be the great motive of your love to them^ 
more than their love or likenefs to you. It is not true 
Chriftian love, but party love, to love only thofc who arc 
of your fentiments in all things. Ye», though they Qiould 
differ from you in fome things, if you fee God's image oa 
thtro, and that they have fellowfhip with the head, you 
ought to love them, and' have fcllowfliip with them j keep 
up the communion of faints, fot it is one of tbe articles o£ 
our creed. Chriftian conference and fecial prayer have been 
blcffed of God to preferve the life of religion in many plai- 
ces, therefore let thofe who fear the Lord fpeak often one 
to another, Mai. iii, 16. 

Dire£l. VI. Fut a high value upon precious time^ and 
lofe none of it by Jlotb^ Lph, v. 16. Eiteem time as thofc 
do who are at the point of death \ and always remember that 
it is impodible to call back time again. Look upon the 
lofs^of time as a greater lofs than the lofs of your money^ 
or any worldly thing) and therefore fhun time-watting 
games., unprofitable diverdons, and idle talking. Efpecially 
value the moll precious part of your time, fuchasthe morn- 
ing of youth, the morning of every day, and particularly 
the precious time of the Lord's day. Look on the Lord's 
day as a try ft- day with heaven ^ lofe not any part of it, 
but carefully improve it for God and the good of foulf, 
both your own and others. It is want of thought, n6t 
want of work, that makes any fay, they have not time to 
fpare. 

Diredl. VII. Allov) a little time every day to think abotii 
eternity . Confider the import of thefe words, * everlafting 
' puniihment, and life eternal,' Matth. xxv. 46. O eter« 
nity, eternity, that is never nearer at\ ttvd^ Wx. 7l\.x^v^^> ^V 
it were, but beginning i One Cenous xViou^X oi tXvt^vX-Y 
is ^aou§h to ilrikc 9l carclcfs foul lo t);x^ Vk^^i^* '^VV- ^^^ 



221 CHRISTIAN 

ftar.c's every '.jour at the door of ctcrPiity, and if he (lepr in 
while out of ChriH, l<e is eternally undone, eternally in de« 
fpf.ir. () the fwift river time is carrying every one of us 
into the ocean of eternity, an ocean thst hath neither bank 
nor bottom, am what each of us nuiil foon launcli forth in- 
to. What fin awful thought is this! Every one of us is 
within a lUp of beii/g eternally bleiTcd, or eternally curfed! 
Eternally faved or eternally damned ! O if every one would 
' believe and confider this and be wife, fo as to pray as for 
eternity, repent as for eternity, hear as for eternity, live as 
for eternity, obey and do every thing as for eternity. 

Dirtch VIII. Throughout your whole llfe^ he mindful of 
the chief lufncfs of life, Phil, ii. 12. Now the bufincfs of 
life iJ to ir.t'ke it furs that Chriil is your life; it is to think 
ranch on ir.e erd of your jife, and to provide for it; it is 
to lay hold on ctcrr.:»l iifc, and keep llill fight- of it: So 
that * when Chi ill, who is your life, (hall appear, ye may 

* alfo appear ^^ith him in glory,' Col. iii. 4. i^et not reli- 
gion be ycLr tiivcrfjcn, but your builnefs; mind it as the 

• one thing nectlfjl ;' give all diligence to make your call- 
ing and eiedV-^n iurc. 2I:l;e fure your calling, end thus 
you nijlic 1-ie your el:a:c>i. it you wou-'.i m ike fare 
your cnJili..'' m\Vc it lurt thi: yc.u are ur.iLtd to Chrift by 
failh, riiid tii.-.t Cjirift is :r,c iiie of yj-jr fouis. Do i.ot rsll 
in coiiv'.Clif-rj'v nor ii.. tr.;ir5, or -.ri.yvr:, or duties, nor in a« 
ny thi'it; llioit of Clii-ijl. PicT:. ' jtli for an ir.terelt in 
Cbr;n, uiici tor the rifuUiCe o( ic, c^- Vir^^nre is attainable, 
ixT\i\ aclL:i!i/ auaiiiud ov roiiny, ar.d it it. inoU i)dcel]'..ry for 
cne'.)rtul oLt;di:-.nc"e, for bearing the cr.jfs,. r'jjicing in the 
L.oid, ^{ivin'/ thanLs for ri^deeinlr.'f; lov;-, i'.nu lor pc-rforir.- 
ir.'; fiiany cir.-.T cJ;-.tii.s of C.iiiuiijnity, 

DirtcL IX. Lei (he 1 aiional foul govern, and the body 
he /ulfh"j,cn: to ii, i C-.-r. ix. 27. ^^^Va^, many on the con- 
tr.-.ry nuike iii.:ir fouls drud^:;? ro their b'jdies, and employ 
rh^ir n. 'ilc faculties v/hu'.iy >ii dcvifiD ; now to plcaie tnc 
ii.ii:. Ah, what iools are tlicy who miud nothing but :lieir 
bodici! Why ; thty are ti;e greateit enemies to their bo- 
dic.% for, l.y io doi.i^, tfiey forfeit the elc.nal happincfs cf 
liitir boditS; as v.ell as of tiicir fouls. Wncrerii thofc who 
;;"tkT tliuir ib-jis, and niiiid iheii^ chiedy, they c;>wLalt the 
iiLiji'i ids of r/ieii bodies, •a's wtW a% Ki^ xV\'LU CziOiU \ far the 
hjiJv is nevtr I'o well as 'm V.eA\'tt\\ Nq\v:tvl^^\\^-^^^\v^^ 



DIRECTORY. 225 

Dired. X. Study both to live and die in the ixtrclfe of re^ 
pentance and godly mourning for Jin ^lA2Mh, v. 4, Some may 
think repentance a melancholy word, but it is one of the 
fweeteft words in all the book of God : It is a gofpel-duty, 
for the law or covenant of works admitted, of no repent- 
ance; It is the effcft of God^s free love in antl thro* Chrift, 
to open the door of repentance to fallen iinners \ ft coft 
Chrii\ bis blood to obtain it for us, and it is his free 
gift to us, A(5ls r, c^i. Surely it is good news to hear 
that our Sovereign bids poor condemned criminals, that 
vr^re brought to the place of execution, repent, and throw 
themfelves down at his feet, and they ihall get pardon. 
It was the fum both of, John's and Chrift's preaching * rc- 

* pent, for the kingdom of God is at hand.* It was the 
faying of a godly minifter, • that if he were to die in the 

* pulpit, he would wifh to die preaching repentanc3 j and 

* if out of the pulpit, he would wilh to die praftiiing re- 

* pentance.' Auguftine faith, repentance * is the fitteil dif- 

* pofition both for dying Chrillians and minifters.' And 
it is written of himfelf, that he died with tears in his eyes, 
weeping for fin. This is a duty never out of feafon, thcre» 
fore ftudy daily to keep up a tender and mourning frame, 
maintain contrition of heart r»rtd>bhorence of fin, and for 
that end take every day a turn ipn Mount Calvary, Many 
think it is a fad thing to be relenting on earth, but it is a 
far fadder thing to be repeiitin^j; in heil. Seek repentance 
from God for Chri'il's fake j f ly with Cphraim, Jer. xxxi. 
1 8, * Turn thou me, and I (hall be turned, for thou art 

* the Lord my God.' 

Dlreft. XI. While you mind ihs mcejfary ftudy of hgiinefs 
or inherent righteoufnefsy let it never take the place of impw 
ted righteoufnefsy Rom. x. 3. Pf?.l. Ixxi. 16. inherent righ- 
tecufnefs indeed is to be loved, but imputed righteoufncfs 
•nly is to be trufted ; for thoucjh inhtreut righteoufncfs or 
. hoUnefs be a neceffary qualification for heaven and falvation, 
and our evidence for it, yet it is imputed righteoufncfs on- 
ly that is the foundation of it, and oar title to it. Lei 
Chrift's name be dear to you, * tiic Lord ourrighteoufnefs,* 
Diredi. XII. "Employ Chriflasyourfurety in all cafes ^ and 
in every firait go to him for relief Pfal. cxix. 122. IfaUV\. 
- xxxviii. 14. Study tfacretore to be \ve\\ ^cc\\x?\tiXrA ^\'^ 
your farcty, and live near hlna. Vf \veu vVw^ ^-a^^ ^^.m-j^'oAs 
payment of debt, and threatens ^ ou vi\Oq. ^vvlotv^ V^^^ ^ 



M4 CHRISTIAN 

Chrifty aid cry, * Lord, be furety for me j Lord, undertake 

* for me.' When you arc called to perforin duties, bear 
afflidions, reiift temptations, druggie with corruptions, en- 
gage with enemies, &c. Look dill to Chrift to be your 
furety, and to undertake for you ^ plead with him to make 
out that promife to you, Deut. xxxiii. 25. * A-s thy day^ £b 
« fliall thy drcngth be.' 

Dire6t. XIII. As you expeB to live with Cbrtft in heaven^ 
Mudy to live to Chrift on earth, 2 Cor. v. 15. Phil. i. si. If 
you would live to Chrid here, then you mud mtikeChrid's 
honour and glory your ultimate end in all your defigns and 
adions ; and make your mod valuable intereds fubfervient 
to his intcred and glory. Study an univerfal conformity 
to Chrid's holy laws and precepts, and make it joxxt great 
bufinefs to approve yourfelves to Chrid in aQ things: Chufe 
the things that pleafe him, and carefully avoid every thing 
that is difpleafing to him, Pfal. cxix. 30. Ifa. Ivi. 4. 

Direa. XIV. Cleave f aft to Chrift, and the wayofbolinefi^ 
whatever it may cqft you, A&s xi. 23. 2 Tim. iii. 12. Think 
not the wotfe of Chrid and his ways, that they areperfecu- 
ted or reproached, and that fc\y do own them. Chrid fore- 
told this, and f'aith, * his Way is a narrow way that few walk 

• in.' Join with the little flock to whom the kingdom is 
proroifed, which will abundantly compenfate all your fuflFer- 
ing«5 for Chrift. Never follow a multitude to do evil, but 
cleave to Chrift however few join you. 

Direft. XV. Seek the approbation of God above that ofmen^ 
a Cor. X. 18. What is the applaufe of worms to the fmilcs 
of the God of heaven ? What wo)ild it avail us to have 
poor men like ourfelves to commend us, when the great 
God that made us doth condemn us \ no matter though men 
cenfure or condemn our aftions, if God approve and com- 
mend them. * It is a very fmall thing to be judged of 
« man's judgment, but he that judgcth us is the Lord,' i 
Cor. iv. 3, 4. 

Dire6l. XVI. J5tf fWwcA employed in admiring God^j re* 

deeming love, and ChriJPs Jure tyjhip for us, i John iii. r, 

. 16. This is the employment of the redeemed to all eternity, 

Rev. v. 9. And all who go to heaven muft be acquiintcd 

with their work while here, Rev, 1.5. O what matter of 

eternal wonder and praife isl\\e\e \a God's giving bis dear 

Son to be our furety and fccrifi.ce,?Livd\^\\i'i"^^^^ \c\>i\\\.'«- 

ily uadertakins it ! 



DIRECTORY. ^^i 

Direct. XVII. Delight much in thinking and /peaking of 
Chrijl, and particularly of his death andjuffering for us^ 
Luke ix. 31. Rev, v. 9. 12. Oh ! did he \vade thro' a f<:a 
of wrath, a fca of blood, a fca of forrows and fufferlngs, to 
bring redemption to us ? And will we ever forget him I 
The great God takes great pleafure in the work of our re- 
demption, and is well pleafed with our Redeemer -who un- 
dertook It. God repented that h(i made man, but never 
repented4iis redeeming man. J\[ow, what God delighis in, 
we fliould delight in, efpecially fmce we reap the benefit. 
We fee, from Luke ix. and Rev. v. that the rubje<51 of Chrill's 
death is matter of difcourfe and praife to the glorified focie- 
ty above. When Moies and illias came from heaven to 
Mount Tabor to wait upon their transfigured Lord, they 
chofe Chrill's death for the fubjcdl of their converfation : 
Why ? Chrift's death was the fpring and caufe of a'l 
their glory in heaven ; Neither Moles nor Ellas had fhincwl 
there, had it not been for Chrill's fieath^ And Ihall net 
we, here below, delight in thinking, fpeaking and finging of 
.this noble fubjedl, which is. the ground of all the happinefs 
we either have, or hope for? 

Dire«5t. XVIU. %'eat obJe6lions raifed againft your clo^ 
Jing with Chrifly at fug gejl ions of the enemy , thatis feckifigthe 
ruin of your funis. .Rejed thtm, as Chrift did Peter's coun- 
fel, Matth. xvi. 23. * Get thee behind me, Satan.' As tJa- 
tan would have hindered Chrifl's dying for us, fo he would 
hinder usj^rom relying on Chrift's death. Oh, faith one 
1 am unworthy of any lliare in Chi iil's death, ylnf. If you 
will have nothing but what you are worthy of, yju mail 
have nothing but hell. What was Abraham, Paul, ?.ljg- 
dalene, the thief on the crofs, the idulitrous Corinihians 
worthy of, before the LoYd called them ? Whatever be 
your unworthincfs, arc you willing to apply Chrlfl'i blood? 
Then fee what Chrift faich to you. Rev. xxii. 17. * Who- 
* foever will, let him take of the'waier of life frttly.' Oh 
but, faith another, my fins are heinous. Anf. Cin.f thou 
be more guilty, than Chriil is grdcioas? Doth he net pro- 
mife to wafli away lins tbiU'are like * fcarlct and crimen,' 
ifa. i. 18. and tells y«u, I John i. 7, That '* nii bijod 
clcanfcih us from all liii P O bids him for that word * alU' 
Do not then believe Satan, who would tt^^^X. \\\t^ Wk'C^v^^ . 
tba£ Cod had ca/t thee off j bat,iu ^^\V^ oi ^\^^ ^'^^ ^^"^•» 
JtilJ believe G(;ci'4 faithful vroid, va^\. xV^^ \^ tsvi.\c>i ^- 

T 



£26 CHRISTIAN 

J oi.[:li 1:1 GiaI, xr.erh cnou7:li in Cbrift, power enough in 
\\,e Sjiiit, and room tnouj^h in the gofpel offers and pro- 
irifes to you. EeHtvc tnat word, Lam. iii. 25. * The 

* I<ord is good to them ibr.t wait fur him, to the foul that 

* fecketh him.' Say to thy foul, • Can this word of God 

* f.iil ? Has GcJ made thee willing to wnit and feek for 
' him, !ir:d is he not willing to he found of thee ? O my 

* foul, dofi thou not fte an infinite pcife6lion in Chrift's 

* ii^htfOLfr.crs, io Chrifi's blood and merits.* We may 
fee an end of a]l tsrlhly pcrfcdion, but we can fee no end 
of Chrill's prrftflion, which is infinite. 

Dirt^. XIX. Siupy tfjucb theft great gofpel ieffbns of de^ 
flying yourfciVes^ and exalting God'^s free grace^ Matth. xvi. 
J24. 3 Cor. i. 3i. The dcfign of the gofpel is to caft 
dour, fclf, and all idols, that God alone may be exalted \ 
it is tc» mske fclf nothing, and God all, in point of wif- 
coni. Ihcngth, righteoufiicfii, and glory ; it is to take man 
wholly cfl Liinrdf, and caft him on Chrifl for the whole of 
Lis fiilvalion. It is i good fign of a faving change upon 
the heart, when a man is thus humbled, and caf^ into the 
^iofpd mou'd, when felf-loving is turned into felf-loathing, 
Coif-aclniiring ir.to (eU-abhoriing, felf-excufing into felf-ac- 
jLufiiTv, and felf-ftekiiig into felt-denying. 

D::(.<^i. XX. Draw all your flrengtb for work and war- 
fare from Chrifi^ and prefcnt ail y^ur duties to God in 
Chrifi name^ Iva, xlv. 24. Col. iii. 27. Chrilt himfelf 
lells us, That * without him we can do nothii^,* John 
3<v. 5. that i>. ncthirg aright, or nothing that is acceptable 
to Gcd. Ail cur duties, if acceptable, muft be done in 
Chrili's frrer.gth, and covered with his righteoufnefs. The 
Apcllle owns that * of himfelf he could not fo much as 

* ihlr.k a good thought,' 2 Cor. iii. ^• but he * could do 

* i.U ihin^b through Chrift that llrengthened him.' Phil, 
iv. 13. And hence he exhorts us * to be llrong in the 
' Lord, and in the power of his might,' Eph. vi. 10. Let 
lis think, before we go to duty, from whence our ftrcngth 
for it mult come, and ftudy to fetch it in by faith, and be- 
lieving ejaculr.lions j ana when we are ifTilled, let us af- 
crihc ihe glory to Jefus. Be aQured ofthisalfo, that your 
moll cuitly faciificea are unfavoury, if they be not perfum- 
ed v,ith the fragrant inccnlc of Chriil's merits and intcr- 

cc/^cn ; ii::d tL.ii your fa'ueCv * u^\\uoviWU "v* Viux. ^s fcl- 
^ihyr la^tx^ in Gcd'!> lig,ht, if C\iUvV\ i\'iV\^viulv.^v% ^^ wv,\ 



DIRECTORY. 227 

cover It. Let it therefore be your conllant lnngun2:c, * In 
* the Lord Jefus have I righteoufnefs and ilrenjth/ Ifa. 
xlvr, 24. 

Dirc61. XXI. In all the aEiions of your life^ fet the Lord 

Jlili before you^ PFal. xvi. 8. — xxv, 15. Ackno.vled^s 
hitn in all your undertakings, and by faith and prayer com- 
mit your way to him ; look to him for d:rc.'l-io;-j and fuc- 
cefs, and depend on him as the Father of your rn?vcie?, the 
liim of your blifs, the Hrength of your life, the dalT olf 
your bread, the b.-enth of your nyilriis. and che Icnglli o: 
your days. Set the Lord always before you as your x\l- 
mighty Creator, your lovinej Redeemer, your ri^hlrul own- 
er, your careful preferver, your all-fuiiicicnt pnrtlo"i, your 
holy paitcrn, your obferving witncfs, and your .ivvful 'ul^f. 
Uiuleitake and perform all your a^^ioos ii.ider a ^U-.-^Xz ot 
God*s alircein;j eye, and of your beiii^ acw'ourtablc to niTi 
for :^il yju ilo. 

Direct. XXir. Whether yc eat, />?• drird'^ :r zi': ^'/oevjr 
ye doy do all to the glory of Gody 1 Cor. y^. xi* V/e caw 
and drink to God's glory, when \'ve d<i it for ihc ^nd iha: 
our bodies may be fitted to fervc our fouls in honoarinp; 
sr.d f^rving God j and when v\c rccefve ihefe mercies \\ith 
thankfulnel's from the hand of God, and depend upon God's 
blclFing to make them nourifljin^ to us •, and when we re- 
mcnibcr we are but ftewards of what we polTefs, and arc 
accountable to God the proprietor bow we improve thcfc 
earthly bleflings to his honour and fcrvice.-— You mull alfo 
apply the bufinefs of your callings to God's glory j and 
this you do, when you depend on God to blcTs you iii it, 
and to profper the work of your hands, and to arm you a* 
gainll all the fins, fnares, and tcariptAtions, which your bu- 
ll nefs may give occafion to. You ought alio to pay and 
receive vifjt*, and attend company with an eye to God's 
glory, by bltlFing God .for giving you friends and eartliiy 
accommodations, and looking to God for wifdom to bc' 
have yourfclves To, as you may do no harm to thofe ye con- 
vcrfe with, nor get any harm fr .m them : Bat, on the con- 
trary, may be helped to do them good, and get benefit from 
them. You are alfo to undertake journies for God's glo- 
ly, to look to him for protedlion by the way, and Cor dw^- 
tioD, through-bearing, and fucce^s. 
Dirca. XXIIL Spe;id as much time as pn^M^ \n Jeer 

/frayer and converfe ivxtb God, \ T\\ttt. n • M* ^^ 

r 1. 



2iS CHRISTIAN 

you may do this with delight, endeavour to keep your 
lieirts ahiayj in a ferious praying frame, with an abidios^ 
' innrefTion cf God upon your fpirits. ^ There is a great 
difference between a ferious fit and a ferious frame. Ahab, 
Saul, I'clix, and others, had their ferious fits, but religious 
pcrfnns only keep their fculs in a ferious franne,_ and Sndy 
to be * in the fear of the Lord all the day long,* as God 
enjoins us, Prov, xxiii. 17. Prayer, that is acceptable to 
God, muft be performed with faith, delight, and lirelinefs, 
and not with deadnefs and wearinefs, as if it were a ta(k 
or burden. A life without prayer, or a prayer without 
life, arc both hateful to the God of our life. He is the li- 
ving God whom w« worOup, and hath no pleafure in dead 
performances: But they who delight themfelves in duty, 
Ihall have the defires of their hearts granted them, Pfai. 
xtsvii. 4. Surely they who Ipend their days in faith and 
prayer, ihsll end their clays in piace and comrort, 

I)irtct. XXIV. Make confcicnce of family religion^ at 
nvell as of the clofet duties^"* Jofh. xxiv. 15. 2 Sam. vi. 20. 
Negleft not family prayer and praifcs, reading the word, 
carechifing children and fervants, fandlifying the Sabbath, 
f xhorting to duty, reproving and curbing lin. Religion 
?.nd rtfurmation muft begin in families, if we would with 
it to be natioral and univerfal. God is the author and 
founder of fau>ilies, and therefore Qiould have homage from 
families, as fuch, by the mcrnir.g and evening fatrifices of 
prayer and praiie. Go to him to bleis family mercies, fup- 
ply family wants, fanctify fan.ily trials, and redrefs family 
giit-vances harly train up children in ihe way they (hould 
^c, pray much for them, and for God's blcffing on the 
:i;c::rjs of ihrir education.' 

Direct. XXV. Begin find end every day with Gody Pfd, 

V. 3. — iv. 8. Ltt prayci be the key tj open the heart to 

Gud in the morriir.g, and lock i: r.gai:;It all his enemies at 

'"ijlit. Let 1:0 C::riir;ui» fny he cannot pray j for prayer 

is as neceffary to him as breath, Lam. iii. ^6, Let none 

fay, they have cot lime f^r itj better take lim^ from lUep, 

than want time for prayer. Think it not enough tu {vj 

yo'.ir jijiyeis, (ml p..iiid you niUlt -..A-ay ) our j.r.:ycrs, pr;jy 

^siih l.MC'-rity and fcr.Ci-.r. 'i ;;i.ik v\ i Ji yoaritj;", this niorii- 

Jni^- iiiiiy be my wH moiw\.>-j;, oy tUvs nit/nt^ my ialt night j 

Jlr CLTtHinly tf:-at moii.ii.g, comtiV. vii \n\\v^V\ ^'J^i. snAXtv^n^'c 

^(^^ the iug\,t, cr that ni^.it lii \NVAe\\ >|uu vk\\\ wt^t:^ '^^^ 

t^2c /ijon.ing. Let the cQixcluWon ol ^v^tN Olm^ a^vxx. >i^v^ vvv 



DIRECTORY. alg 

mind of the conclufion of all your days, by the long nright 
of death, that will put an end to all your work, and brines 
you to "count and reckon with your Great Mailer about 
your work. O to lie down every night reconciled with 
him ! O that we could lie down and leave our hearts with 
Chrift, and compoic our fpirlts fo, as it we were not to a- 
wake till the heavens are no more, 

Dire^. XXVI, Seeing none knoweth what a day may 
hritm forth, fpend every day as it were to be your laf}^ Pro v. 
XX VII. I. Look on yourfelvcs as ftandin^ every day at the 
door of eternity^ and hundreds of difeafes and accidents rea- 
dy to. open the door to let you in. No doubt you have 
fome'iimea apprehended yourfelvfts nearer death than you 
think yourfelves jull now •, yet it is certain thaf^cath was ne* 
ver fo near you, nor judgment never fo near you as they arc 
at prefent. We, who ftand every hour at the door of eter- 
nity, fliouW fpend our precious hours with the great eft fru- 
gality, feeing the work we have in hand is foul work, and 
work on which eternity depends j and the time we h:ivat:> 
ivork it in, is very fliort, and ca mot be recalled. This 
fhort life being only a paliage to ctcrnily, it Ihould^bci 
fpent as a continual preparation for eterniiy . Surely thofe 
who have iranaortal fbala frnear eternity, have other work • 
to do thrill trifle away time on tippling, idle talking, gA- ' 
xnii>g, and fuch divcrfions. 

Direct. XXVil. Sijournin this world cs iravellers^ hcep« • 
ingfo loofefrotn the wovld^ as to be able to pack up and ba 
gone from it upon Jhort warnings i Pet. i. 17. i Cor. vii. 
29. 31. We have no c.)atiiiuing city, nor certain abode 
here ; therefore let us always be ready to arir;3 and depart. 
And if we would b;; right travellers toward Zion above, 
we rouft have Chrift in our hearts, heaven in our eye, and 
the world under our feet. AVe muit take God's b'pirit for 
our guide, God's word for our rule, 'God's glory for our 
end, God '3 fear for our guard, God's people, for our cona- 
panions, God's j>raife for our recreation, and God's promi. 
I'es for our cordials. We muft noake religion our bulinefs, 
prayer our dcllgiu, holincfa our way, and heaven our home. 
O Zion's travellers, diftinguilh ycurfelves from tK<i vcv?.^ 
that dwell upon the earth \ \z\ Ctvu\\. ?\,N^^s\iM ^^^^v^ma \^ 
you, the word iWeet, fm bitter, l\ic v!ot\^ ^ NsA'X^x'cv^^s^'a.;^^ 
death wekorae. Let ChrilOs vi'\\\ b^ -3^^^^ ^\\\^Q>^^< 
dUbouour yo'2t affli<5lion, CrhiiOs cau^e vcivi^ cvi^c*4vw^ '^^^ 



232 CHRITIAN. 

talh more of them, you profcfs more, you promifo and en- 
g2Ejc to do more tlian others: yea, God has done.unfpeak- 
ably n^ore for you than others, and he may juftly expeA more 
from yoa than others, and put that qUeftion to you, * What 
do ye for me more than others r' Matth. v. 47. 

^iffl* Wherein fliould believers diftingullli themfelve?; and 
do more for God than others I Anfw. You ihould be vvit- 
nelTes !'or QtoA^ and teftify agalnfl what is difTionouring to 
him, by abO. lining from all known (in, and from thofe fins 
which arc common and faihionable, and little thought of by 
others, liy reproving fin in others, and endeavouring to 
juuck ibem out of the fire. By keeping up family religion 
even in the midft of bufinefs, and banifhing all known vice 
frCKJ 3our dwellings, even minced oath?, rafli ufing ci 
Gog's name, idle walking or talking on the Lord's day^ 
tackbitings, evil wilhes, revengeful a£lions, unncceffary 
dri»^'^i"g cr tippling, lottery games and pailimes of bad 
rep'^i'f I &c — Be zealous for babbath holinefs. Be meek 
and lowly in your carriage; commend Chrnl to other j 
fpetk lor the honour of religion before thofe who difre- 
g.M-d it ; ll^ew fpecinl regard to thofe who are ilamped with 
God's image, though mean or ueipiitd •, berendy to forgive 
wrcngs, nncl render good for evil j deal hcncitly and jiiilly 
wiih all men, be fober and temperate in eating, drinlving, 
lleep, apparel, &.c. Guard againlt pride, paHlon, halty 
and ur.goarded words \ put great refj ed upon God's word 
aiid oidinancts \ be concerned for the enlarging of Chrlll's 
kingdom > never venture upon any known lin for the fake 
cf worldly gain j m'.ike confcience of rclanve and llaticnal 
dutic?, as to be good hufounds, good wive?, good parents, 
good chiiditn, good mailers, g- od fervanis, good neigh- 
bou:s, &CC. In luch tui.jgs as thcfe yoa are to do no mo:c 
fo Gou than others. 

Dnedr. XXX 11. Be not conient nx)Uh a fair proftjjlon of 
rclr^kn^ or iviih a form of goa'/intfiy and a name to ihe a- 
in^ng men^ lit. i. 16. 2 Tnn. iii. 5. Bat endeavour to 
knew and feel the pov.er oi godlintl's inyour Leirls, and to 
Lave your pradicc ia all reipech correfponding to your 
proftdion. li your prdciice be not aniwer^bic to what 
yuu pi'oiciSy you fin agaiall ^teat light, 'you diicredit rc- 
Jigioij, aiid teuipt men 10 iVvuk '\X. -eCvV i^^j ^qcxv^j • V^ ^m^ia 

Jivc aiid die a mere pio'icV^ot, \tWd \i^^\\\i^\V5.\ WVvax 

the had iivcd and died a m^i& \i'i^x\-v'i^' 



DIRECTORY. 235 

Dire£^. XXXIII. Keep ainuays a watch on the door of 
your lipSy Pfal. ^cxli. 3. ISefing the tongae hath a world o£ 
iniquity in it, Jam. iii. 6. keep it as with a bridle. Pfal. 
xxxix. I. and beg the Lord's help to keep it, and that he 
hirofclf may fet a watch upon your mouths, as the Pfajm- 
ift praV^, Pfai'. cxli. as knowing that no watchfulnefs or 
refolution of our own is fufficitnt for the governing of our 
tongues, without God's fpecial grace, without this the mod 
wakerife watchmen watcheth in vain. Earneftly feek^ for 
Chrift's fake, God's fpecial grace to govern this unruly 
member, that it may not be fuffered te utter words which 
may tend to the dilhonour of God, or to the hurt of men. 
ftudy to govern your tongues by ufing God's name with 
reverence, fpeaking always vi^hat is truth and what is fea» 
fnable, ufcful. and edifying, guarding carefully againft ly- , 
ing, evil fpeaking, paffionate, proud, and felf exalting words, 
and againft all ralh cenfures. You have need of great cau- 
tion in fpeaking, and to take heed either how ye commend 
yourfelves or condemn others. 

Direa. XXXIV. Walk ehearfuUy and contentedly in 
every condition, ASis viii. 39. Phil. iv. ii. Such a walk 
as this doth bring'great credit to religion and the fcrvicQ. 
of our Redeemer. What though a believer be fed with 
the bread and water of afflidlion^the moft of his life, he 
hath other brei^d and another cup to fwetten both j ' the 
* forgivenefs of fin'-is a reviving cordial in every cafe. 
Have no will of your own diftihdl from God's will, but 
be refigned to God's difpofing will in every thing, and 
let God's will and choice be always yours, if you cannot 
bring your condition to your mind, tiien you muft labour 
to bring your mind to your condition, bclievipg that the 
will of your heavenly father is always belt for yo&. Still 
remember tlia_t he hath engaged himfclf to be with you 
in all Itates and conditions, and to order all things for 
yovir advantage ; JSe fure then he cannot deny himfelf, all 
bis words are oaths fjr their certainty, and all his promi- 
fes arc the fure mercies of David. Be content in every 
.cafe; for fin cc Chrilt is yours, * all things are yours.' 
Well then, let your covenauted God chufe out your lot 
for you; for you may trult that it ihall be done with more 
wifdom, and with more affedion, lW\ '^<^^\ c^xi Oaxx\!t ^^ 
yoarfclF. 
VJred.XXXV. If you would inuU\k(^ ^ o^j.tfeVi^^V^'^^ ^^^ 



234 CHRISTIAN 

ly religious both bef.rc Grd and xr.av, keep alxay x ihe fi'fi 
and fecond table of the law joined together ^ and make confci- 
ertce of both ^ Ma:tb. xxii, 37. &c. Love both God and year 
neighbour, be jull and upright ia all your dealings with 
mtn, a^lirg alAaysunder a fenfc ov the all-iceiiig eye of 
your heavenly Fatlier, who enjoins you to do the iame to 
others, as ye would have thtm doing to you. Lst a mor- 
al m.m try his religion by the duties of the firft table of the 
law, and a profcffor his by the duties of the fecond table 
of the Uvv, See that you love God above all things, and 
prefer his worilkip and fcrvicv: to every thing. Love God 
for hinnf'^lf, and love men priiicipally for what is God- like 
in them. 

Dire^:. XXXVI. Carefully guard againjl eipofiacy ami 
hackfliding ft am God and his nuays^ Hth. x. 38, 39. Be al- 
ways jealous of your decietful ^.nd treacherous hearts, know- 
ing that ihey r.re bent to backllidiug. A holy fear of de- 
parting from Gjc\ is a y\ood means to keep us from depart- 
ing from God. 'ihercf)rc endeavour to preferve al-vaya 
a vvatchfi'l ar.d t'.:;ri(.r frarrie of heart, and hih afraid of fal*-ng 
a-Aiiy, accordin.; to thr.t word, Htb. iv.- 1. If you would 
prcf rvt^ youiloivcs fioin total apoltacy, rife fi-ccdHy after 
every fall Ly founil rLpjiitr.iice, anvi recourfe to the blocd 
cf Chriil. Lie i-.ot one day in any fin, but riie out cf the 
puddle immec:L.t-:iy, \>.uki go to ths clcanfing fountain, and 
renew ycur coveu.ait with G. d, f.nd btg more ilrength and 
fiiih t'.) dcri. c coiiiiiui:il lupj-lies from Chrilt your head, 
Eeoi'icn Ciliing yuur loul^ tot:,.: .-nr,andalking your hearts, 
\vl:at i> become of thegcoci fjar-s. *;. ti.c iiicltir.g fenfe of fin, 
the Lungricg d.iirc^iljc li. 1; -Ijrr- ! uites, the heavenly long- 
i!i^«^, tlic 'Aari:i ufil^fiiui;'. t.; C.::i:i, tl.<-t they fometiines bed. 
vvh;n yua jjitnin to ti*j ft, cr I'j w-.-.y of ihem> lei that yoj 
CGiv.iiiit ti.tm lo C.iil'o KC:!.i.-^. .aviiir ^^i:hthe Pfalmiil, 
* L;:r(i uc foiv y fcr thy f-.-rviuii l.r ;:,'••-.' Lajily^ conlidcr 
the dicadfiil nViC oi'iin JM^.uiif a' tJchM-.-.ui by our Lord 
an;i Mi apo. i' , M.i:ili. x.i. 43, 44. z L'.t, ii. 20, 21. "I'hat 
n h;.'j -..i'. : uicu'.r.'z'^ far Uiou: n-.iLv.M-.'lc th^n i> v,-as at fira, 
Wl-.*: :: i-.l c. i-i is it for a fc.l to fall u.;vk into hell, al'tc: 
it ::i..l c;-;n:)cLl n^ar '.he :'.;.tv.s of lieaveii ? Inoul fall to dee;; 
io'ii ■l\k U.N \\...\: v[-,.) ;"^li b.ckwp.id into ir. 

J, 'I : :'ri , y^^\\\ V 1 i . B c xu n t c \}fu I ag(\injl c II Jli^ anl par- 
*ft\\Lr:y yjur ii..,i:;ig uv c^r.^XiiuXi'^nA Jin, 0,e jia xc»u nvr. 



t • c devil wdl knows this fin, and on what fide we 
be attacked with the greateft fuccefs ; and to be furc 
ill bring h'j; jhongeft temptations thither, and employ 
oft fubtik wiles and devices that way to enfnare us. 
re happy for us if we were dill watching againft him, 
euld hiy with thff apodle, * we arc not ignorant of his 
Ices.' You ?.re likevvifeto watch againft all fin what- 
r, fins of omiffion as well as ofcommiffion, Grofs out* 
.ings make confcience to ftart at their appearance, but 
lot fo alarmed with the negltf! of duties. But if con- 
:c be awakened, fins of omifiibn will lie heavy as well 
s of commiffion. Sonae eminent Chriftians who have 
the moft circui4*.rpcft lives, when they come to die, and 
I upon their bypaft time, have been put to cry, * Lord 
pecial forgive my fins of omiffion.* Venture not to 
n any frame, courfe, or pradice, that you would not 
iturc to die in, feeing you know not but your next ftcp 
be into the grave. Guard againft all thefe fins and e- 
ow in the time of your health, that may put thorns in 
pillow when fickhefs and the harbingers of death ap« 
:h; fuch as mifpending of precious time, negle^ of 
sr, or reading of the fcriptures, formality and luke- 
inefs in religion, earthly mindednefs, . unthankfulnbfi 
icrcies, and mifcarrying after them, negle£i of impro- 
Chrift, quenching the Spirit, negle£t of convidions, 
iving of vows, falling from your firft love, returning to 
ins you had mourned over, finning againft light^ and 
affifdions. &c. 

ired. XXXVIII. Be heartily concerned for the coming 
enlargement of Chrift^s kingdom in the worid^ Matth. vi. 
Pfal. Ixxii. 19. Bewail it that his flock is fo little, his 
ds fo few, when Satan's are fo numerous. Bewail the 
ccefsfulncfa of the gofpel, tic refiraint of the Spirit, 
iivifions among Chriftians, and the many hindrances of 
)rogrefs of Chriftianity. Lament the wrongs and dii^ 
urs done to God by others, cry and wreflle for the 
ouring of- the Spirit, both ac home and abroad ; pray 
he revival of God^s work in thefe lands,- amidft theie 
ining years ^ and in enquiring after public news, have 
iw to this, be concerned for the intereft and welfare of 
fl's kingdom through the world, foe tl\^ vic^\xi"^JtoJicv-^ 
t of God'tf proinifes concerning \.\it dt&i>3i^vow ti\ K^** 
f/?; BabyloaU downfall, the iaW\u^\tis^l^^^>^'*>^^^ 



236 C H R I S T I A N, &c. 

the fubdainpr of the nations. And when y(5u hear any ap- 
pearance of God's arifing to countenance his word, and con- 
quer finners hearts to hiinfelf, whether at home or abroad, 
rejoice at the news, reckon them good tidings of great joy, 
and blefs the Lovd for them with all your hearts. It is 
xnoft pleafing and acceptable to God, to fee his people hear- 
tily concetned for the profperity of Jerufalem. 

Dire6l. XXXIX. Be bufy laying up ajlock fur a Jici 
bed or death bed, when all the comforts of life will be tajh' 
iefs to you, i 1 im. vi, 19. Lay up a ftock of faith and 
patience, a ftock of evidences of divine love, and of your 
intercft in Chriii ; a ftock of divine promifes, and experi- 
ences of God's loving kindncfs, which may be fupporting 
to you in the day of ftiarp trials. When mariners go to 
fea, they vidlual the ftiip and provide for a Aorm. And 
ought not we H) forcfce the ftorms of afHit^tion, of ficknefs, 
and death, and provide and lay up for thcin ? It will be 
fad, if, when the bridegroom is come, w^ have our oil 
then to buy, when the market is over. Now is the ti.iie 
for providing oil j now is the market of grace j now is the 
acceptable time 5 now is the day of falvation. 

Uired^. XL. Be looking and longing for the eternal 
fup/yer of the Lamb, Phil. i. 23. Rev.-xix. 9. Hungry fouis 
who have tafted the love of Jifus, long for the Lamb's fup- 
per below, that they may enjoy communion with hiin heu, 
and this makes them cry, When (hall the opportunity re- 
turn ? When fli^U 1 come and appear before God ? When 
ftioU 1 again fte his j.ov/er and giory in the fandluary ? — 
When {i)all I again tafte his love and goodnefs in the fa- 
crament ? and yet thefe are but fiuiil forttai'es of th« 
Lamb's fuppcr above. What is our drinking cf the fiuit 
of the vine here, 10 our drinking it new with Chriii in his 
Falhci's kingcioRi ? — Therefore look out, and long for the 
time when tht day ihnil break, sTnd the lli.ido^vs n^t a-.vay, 
and the n air:i.g-.* of the Lamb ihall be iiiuiiioiidi.- iy foLrm- 
niztu, and coiuplcted with the Ciiurcli his ci";>Ocii<.J biidc, 
whom he will ii.c:. 1'j.id into the King's palace, where thtir 
tninfieiu p,'ar::tb 11, ..11 be change;! into inuiicdiate viiio.-., 
and their ihort il'.Iics into everliliin^ ftMiiiiig -nd fl.I'.;ci^. 
' O bkfi'r;! arc ihty for ever who ai'jcallfcd to thj iiiarriagc 
* Tapper (j'l iiic Lai/.b.' 'i'hcfc arc ihe true iayii-,g^ ot C..!. 



■ • ' • FOR 

Z,I O N's T R A V E L L E R S, 

IN THEIR WAY TO HEAVEN. 
I— : _ L 

Ifa. XXXV. lo Tbe Ranfomed of the Lordfiallretwrrti and iome f 

Zion cwitb Songs. 
Pfal. cxxxviii. 5. Thejjhall^ng in the fways of the Lord. \ ^ 

S O N G L ♦ 

The Frimitive^Communicants, . 

1 r^HRIST's fi-iends at; firft oft broke his breaa, 
. ^ Infpir'd with love divine ; 

They drank the fpirit of their head, 
As well's the facred vcine. * 

2 They (lie vv'd his desth wif h heart and foul. 

And feafted on his 'ove ; 
His blood and wounds they did extol, 
. And fuDg like faints above.. 

3 Lord grant us part of that love flame, 

Which in their hearts nbode ; 
That made them witaefs for the Lamb, 
And fuff r for their God. 

4 Warm (how'is froTi heaven fend down on lis, 

That frozen hearis may yield, 
And turn us from a w.ldcrnefs 
y Into 9 fruitful field. 

5 Thy people, Lord, lament for thee. 

And lore thy abfence mourn j 
They long ihy face again to fee > 
To gofpel tValis return. 

6 Comt 10 thy table, with us fit, 

Our grudges all remove^ 
Unite our hearts, and make us fit . *- 

To keep the feail of love. 

7 Caufe Itieams of living Writer flow 

In channels of thy grace ; 
And let the north and fouih wind BIott^ 
Oar flrait'uings to rcleafe. 
S TJjj Spitit'*s temple make our Yi^^iXi% 
And With us ilill abide •, 

u 



o 



538 SCRIPTURE SONGS, 

Make his conTi^lIons pierce like daiti, 
Let as no more baokflide. 

9 Thy hid logs are a bitter cup, 

Ltke-flow'rs we fade and tnonrn^j 
"We droop, wc grUve, and can't look up, 
TjU tbou our Sun return. 

10 I^ord, thirgc not on its fornicf guiU, 

Let till thine anger ceafc j 
Look lo ^he blood OQ Caiv*ry fpilt, 
And btt^ua go in peace,^ 

SONG IL 

Th HoiY Spiiai/// us for (h Holj Tasl^ 
Father of our dying: Lord, 
Hear thy Sou's fpeaking blood, 
Ful6( to us hh gracious word, 
Send down the heavenly food, 

2 Thy Spirit grant, for which he praj'd, 

To glorify thy ^on 5 _ 

Hi» pTomii'd irjSuences fhed, • , "' 

That wonders m^j be done. 

3 Glad we'll his death commenaorate, 

Ay till he come again ; 
Blefs both the word and facrament, 
Take thy great poW'r and reign. 

4 Chrift'e table now Hands furni(hed, 

With bleflings qf beft kinds 5 
Pardon and peace bought with his blood, 
Choice-food for troubled minds. 

5 Give faith to feed and view his love, 

His ftripes and wounds each one, . 
How he was jeer'd that's fear'd above, 
Blafphcm'd and fpit upon. 

6 In's hands and feet we fee the nails 

Piercing his tender veins j 
For us each wound the bluftiing ground, 
With blood infinite ftains, 

7 Black clouds for us o'erwhelm'd hi$ foul, 

Sore was his agony, 
When he cry'd, ' My God, my God, why 
^ Haft thou forfakeu mtV 
8 Thy matchicfs lo^c we.*\Y i^t^\^e. ^^>3A^ > 
Our ib uls it doth con&ma 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. 239 

To love and live to tbce our God, 

Who for our fitis was flain; 
9 May 1 no more to pray'r be dragged, • 

To fervc thee let me run ; 
May I in duties keep my courfe. 

Like to the riling fun. 
10 Unto the Lamb that once was (lain, 

Be praife and glory giv*n> 
By all that dwell upon the earth, 

And all the hofts of heaven, 

SONG III. 

CHRIST'S Sacmtice ibe otjly foundation of our Trust, 

1 CO great's the guilt of fallen man, 
^ Non| could his pardon buy j 
Great muft it be, when God hinafclf- 

Mud for bis creature die ! 

2 Slain bealls for fin could not atone, 

Soch offerings all were vain, ||L 

Had not the Father giv'n his Son 
For finners to be (lain, 

3 Had the whole Church been offerM up, 

As one burnt facrifice, 
Our fmalleft debt this could not pay, 
Creatures could not fuf&ce. 

4 But mercy in thishopelefs cafe, 

A facrifice prepares: 
A Lamb of all-fufbcient worth, 
Which diflipatcs ourfears, 

5 This facrifice more precious 

Than all created things. 
To us eternal hanpinefs 
In foul and body brings. 

6 This is the fure foundaiion-ftone, 

Which God in Zion lays, 
For men to build their hopes upon, 
He's bleit that on it ftays. 

7 Thv>' earth's foundations be rcmov'd, 

This rock Hill llandeth faft, 
By ftorms unmov'd, on <lhis alone 
My anchor I will cail. 

8 77ie iiambf our rock, for ms did. d\^^ 

jTor us rofc from the dead, 
\3 a 



540 SCRIP rURE SONGS 

For tia ht did afcend oa tiig^t 
For us his blood doth plead* 
f O bleedings Lamb^ (hew me my name 
Writ* in thy book of life. 
Then 1 will long to be wttd tice, » ^ 

Out 9f this land of ilrife, i t 

lo To worftiip with the heavenly boft^ 
Jehovah one in three, j 

The Father, Son, and Holy Ghofi-, 
iTo all eternity , 

SONG IV. 

Tltff DiSTREfiSEfi Soul Lohlng to the X^hfa^for ptr^ 
I /^^OMK ffe ray caftr, O bleeding Lamb^ 

^-^ 111 mercy take nie as I a in, 

Quite naked, ^hd put clotliinj^ en 

A ilran(rtr, and make me a fon* 
L . 3 EurdenM with gi>ilt, and give me eaft, 
■IP ^ bojtd-mafi, and mv To id releafis, 
W All vile, not it toJ*>in fhy faiots ^ 
*" A crt.iturr a]l made up of wants* 

3 *By»iiatM re 1 have nothing giiod, ' * 

AM muil be brought me by thy blood j 
Hut fiocc thy wounds are o|jtnM wide, 
, I'll bv)f e in Jefus crfjcify'd, 

4 -T*hj biuad Bien*A foreft plagues doth cure. 
Thy ijounds their backward hearts allure, 
Thy blood flrange cbai>g« works in raqn, 
Ff , r V. ni; 1 d L o US w rks the L'h i^r b w as "H^ri i 

'5 Thy Bible doth thy pity (hew, 
I reft on thy words fweet and trae, 
•'Souls come Ko me, 'and' no more doubt, ' 
' For him that comes I'll not cad out.' 

6 K.enew my foul, plant grace this day. 
Give me a heart to mourn and pray, 
O kill in me this rebel fin, 
Reflorc thy image me within. 

5 Fo> thefe things I to thee do come, 
Cart me not out, fince there is room ; 

^ Make good thy words, and heat' my cries, 
^ Fjr on thy truth my CourreUes. 
S O dcdrcii Lamb, dldft t-Viovi v\oX.V>\tt^^ 
lb parch :Sing v«c.u^td^. 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. 241 

Doth not thy blood flill run to heal 
Dinreffed fouls, their plagues vtho feel? 
9 We feel our fores*, Lord, he^il us foon, 
And in us let thy will be done : 
Praife Father, Son, and Holy Gho(l, 
One God in Chrift, that faves the loft. 

S O N G V. 

A call to wonder at Christ's Sufferings yrow Lovi to us, 

1 |D EHOLD Chrift in a bloody fweat, 
-^ Which all his garnaent ftains ! 

See four wide wounds in's hands and feet, 
When big nails piercM his veins ! 

2 Behold his foul opprefled fore, 
- And in the great eft pain ! 

How heavy was the wrath he bore, 
Of which he did complain ? 

3 Yet, Lord, whilft our fins filfd to thee ^' 

This bitter wrathful cup, 
A bleifed feaft thou mad'ft, that we 
Might at thy table fup ! 

4 O friends of Chrift, draw near his throne^ 

To him thank- offerings bring, 
For in his temple ev'ry one 
Should of his glory fing. 

5 Let men him love, and (In abhor, 

Which caus'd him grief and pain,. 
Let all the angels ftill adore 
The Lamt) for ftnners flain ! 

6 With warm affections let us blefs 

Our great High Prieft above. 
And ev'ry day admire and prwfe 
The wonders of his loye ! 

7 From love he left his throite on high,. 

Lodg'd in a virgin's womb ! 
Love brought him to the crofs to die, 
Love laid him in a tomb ! 

8 Love rais'd him up, and took him back, 

To heaven to make us toom^ 
Jrom thence retura he^'A iot o>xt U^t.s^ 
In love to bring us hoxac\ 
> From Jove he wearies not Xo ^\c^ v . 
And &CW bio bLocding VwkXx^^T 



1 



1^ 



54 i SCRIPTURE SONGS- 

Bloce Kr batli J u (lice fad^fy'J, jf 

0(*i^ Tre^dom lie demrijids, 
( 10 Tbv blood harK done all things far mc, 
I I'll glory in thy cfor* ; 

My be ft things I'll gtte tip for tbec^ 
I count them alj but lofs. 

SONG' VI. 

From 2 Sanh xsiii, 3 — y, 
B'mj U Pjiofhect e/* Chili ST, gn<i King Dd'ciJ'^s Swa 

1 A Btn-aa juft o'^er men fliall nfei 
-^J- In God*s fern- rule rtvaU he, 
■^s ijDcurning light fprings from the Ikies^ 

^o welcome ThaU he be. 

2 Like rifing Cliii he fcitttera all . * 

. The bkck fli^dei of the night, 
Ko ctauds thk morning darken fliall 

Refff filing ts its lig^ht, *-«-f- 

3 H^ fli-ilt the frozen earth folactj / 

Like fun^iine after rain, 
Whofe waTtnitTg beams revive the grafs. 
And make all fpring: again. 

4 I'm griev'd, «11 prove not good and juft, 

Who from my loins do fpringj 
But glad to fee he fprrngs from? me, 
That's ZIon's blcfTed King : 

5 A king that favcs usTrom our foe^, 

In hearts rules by his might) - 
With hifi jull laws let all men clofe, 
Obey him, it's his right. . 

6 Although my houfc be not with God 

Such as it ought to be 5 ' 
Yet^he'hath through*Meffia*s blood,,. 
A covenant made with me: 

7 A covenant which life doth bring, 

And evermore endure, 
Well ordered in ev'ry thing, 
VfilYi promifes moil fee. 
S My hc*art's de&re is tojwaxds \t, 
'7'i« my ialvatlon^ 
A]t\\ he doth not come ^s ^^\» 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. 24^ 

9 But Beliars fons, who are his foes,- 

God fmhc them will in ii'e, , ^ 

He'll them confume who him oppofe^ 
Like thoFiis burnt up with fire, 

SON G VII. 

The Saints Triumph over deaths from Job. xix. 25, fcci 

I Cor. XV. 43, 53. Phil. iii. 2i. Ezek. xvi. 14. 

1 n|"^HQUGH on me heavy trials come, 

•*■ And death's ftroke on me fall, x 

My faith and hope (hall not fuccumb, 
But triumph o'er jhem all. 

2 I know that my Reedemer lives, 

Who pleads my cauTe with God^ 
To fave caeh foul that him b^lievcs^ 
He comes to ilied his blood. 

3 Then for a while, he'll go away, 

But will remrn again, ' 

And on the earth, at latter day, 
Stand with a glorious train^ 

4 Though in the grave my body fall. 

And worms do it confume, 
Ev'n Ikin and flefh, boold, bones, and all, 
Yet death I'll overcome. 
*5 My Lord will raife me from the duft, 
He'll clothe nay bones \vith flefh, 
I'll fee my God whom how I ti-uft,. 
V^hich will toy fout refrefli. 

6 That .flefli whick all confumed was, . 

The very fame ihall rife j 
Yea, I will fee^ Chrift^s lovely face. 
With thejfe my very eyes. 

7 Though for a time my dud be loth'd 

Moft beautiful I'll be, 
My mortal body (liall be cloth'd 

With immortality. * 1 

% Like Chrift's own body will I fhtlic, 

With raitncnt white as light. 
His comelkiefs is ever avint-, 

This evVy faiat «vabi% btv^% 



^44 ' SCRIPTURE SpNGS 




SONG vin. 

CHRIST'S ETEaNAi* Love r& mMnhind: From Prov* Tiil. 
to the end* 

1 "ITTHEN tlie creation was begun 

▼ ▼ By God*s almighty h»nd, 
Then I, hii own eternal Son, 
Concurred in the command. 

2 I joined in hii counfds wifcj 

Loft mankind to redeem: 
I ^as my Father's chief delight. 
And I rcj^k'd in hJm- 

3 And in the earth when k for Man 

Was fram'd with divine art. 
With pkafure I fore fa w the Charcb 
Its hibl table part„ 

4 Before the light wat made to ihine, 

My bcart was fet on man; 
My thoughts, from &1I eternity, 
On hJs falvacion ran. 

5 The forefight of n^an's mifery, 

Made me engags for them, 
To be ihcir help ; for m/ delights 
Were with the fons of men. 
^ O children, then to me give ear j 

They're bleft my ways that chufei. 
Be wife and my inftru^ion hear, 

They're fools wh© it refuftj. «3i) 

7 Bleft is the man that hear? my word, ^^ 

And doth aitcnd my gates, ^ 

Who watchfully looks for the Lord^ 
And at his ducr-poRs wr^its, 

8 Bleft is the man that findcth me. 

With me he^l live above, 
And have, through all eternity^ 
€rod's favour and his love. 
9 But his own foul he doth injure, 
Wlib flights my offers free j 
And thofe who hate ray prccegte pure,. 
Court, death ftmnaUy^ 



SCRIPTURE* SONGS. " ' 345 

S O N G IX. , 

From^ Solomon^s Song^ Chap, 1. Being a diahuge hsiwi^^ 
Christ and his Spouse. 
Spouse 

1 T IKE fwcetcft ointment fmclls thy name, 
•*-^ Dtar Jrfiis unto me, 

Hence virgin foulS fend out a flame 
Of holy love to thee. 

2 O draw me, and we'll fun to thee y 

Bleil K<ng, thou didflj|^bring 
Into thy chambers, hencARl we , 
In thee rejoice and ling. 

3 More than the tafte of richefl wine, • 

Thy love think on we will ; 

Moft coftly was thy love defign j 

The upright love thee ftill, 

4 Tell me, good rtiephcrd, whom I love, 

Where thy dear flieep are fed j 
Shew me the paths wherein, they move, 
And where they find, a Ihade. 

5 Leave me not in a wandMng courfe, 

Like thufe who lofc their v^ j 
With flocks of thy competiiUrs 
Let me not go aftray. 

Chuist. 

6 Art thou bcwilncrM my fair one, 

And canft not find thy reift ? 
Come, follow my dire^ion, ■• 

I'll Ihcw thee what is bell. 

7 In fwlleps of my flock go on, 

I'he (hcpherds tents keep nigh-; 
Thy kids and young ones bring along, 
So flialc thou meet with me. . 

Spouse. 

8 W^hileat the table fits the King, 

My fj^ikcnard fmcileth fwect, 
My graces Linguiflung do fpring, 
\\ iih Lfiis fun's quick 'ning heat. 
Dear Jtius, as a bunch of myrrh, 
ftiall in my bofora lie ; 
To lodge v\ith mc he'll not dcmMX^ 
' Wi?iJe nightly Ihadt^ do Vl;i^^ 



SCRIPTURE SONGS, 

> Wlien Cbrift my Vve is ^one. 

'3 I on my brd tny lofs did mind, 
I fotlgbt him thus alone ^ . 
My clrowfy fearch him did not fiti^t 
Vam vvfls my (loibful moan^ 

3 ni riTf, and t0ur\d the city gp, 

Through. ilreets, broad way^, aBdIanes| 
^JThis way I fought my IovCt hut lo ! 
SucctfsUfs wete my pains. 

4 The city waichtinen found me out^ 

1 hci)r do^rittr touch'd my rafe ; 
Ah, wwere's he ? Can ye foke n.y doubt? 
^ Nortc of them brotight me eife, 

f J When meatus nt}d duties proved fo weak. 
Beyond them all I paft : 
When I foEDc i^epj frotn them did makci 
I found my love ht h\{\, 

6 I birii embiac'd, and held him faft, 

TilLonce 1 got him brought 
ri Into my mothc.'? dweri-^|;3 w^lT^, 

To ^renptheo what h- wrf^uf^ht- 

7 Since he'^ come in, I do you charge, 

Who Salem's daughters are. 
By roes and hinds which run at large, 
^ Our joys you do not mar. 

8 Le: fin or earth no niStion mtke, 

For to diflurb his reft : 
Let none pre fume my love to wake, 
"^ Until it pleafc him beih 

9 O, Zioa's daughters, all go forth, 

Behold King Solomon, 
Ev'n Chrift our King, of higher worth, 
Wearing his glorious crown, 
10 ♦Wherewith his morher crown'd his head, 
On his cfpoufa] day. 
That day on which his heart was glad, 
Him love and -praife for ay. 

S Q N G XIIL 

From Sorfgvw. "j,^. 9, 10, ir, 12, 16, 

I fair wV\en UvOcv^ ^t« 



T 



,p^^*< . n fa\r v^Vven uvOa^j ^i^ttl^s 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. ' ^49 

When clothed with my righteoufncfs, 
No fpot is feen on thee. 

2 My fpoufe, come off from Lebanon, 

And mounts of vanity : 
Let all the world's deceits alone, 
And come alongft viit^ me, - 

3 By faith look from Amana's top, 

Shcnir.and Hermon fairj' 
From dens of prey, behold with hope 
The land beyond compare. 

4 My Spoufe, thou doft my love enhance, 

And draw'ft my heart to thee, 
"With thy neck -chain 5, and with a glance; 
Of thy believing eye. 

5 Thy love to me more grateful U, 

Than wine of any kind ; 
Thy graces more than fragrant fpicc 
Acceptance with me find. 
i Thy lips drop fweet 5 and from thy tongu« 
Do milk and honey flow : 
Thy garments fooell as Lebanon, ' a* 

Which I on thee beftow. ' 

7 A garden fair, inclosed by grace, 

My Spoufe thou art to me ; 
I chus'd thee from the wildcrnefs. 
With fine fprings furniih'd thee. 
Spouse. 

8 If I thy garden be, O Lord, 

Caufe heaven's wind awake, 
Sweet quick'ning gales to me afford, 

My graces lively make. 
() Sharp northern blafts fend to convince, 

And caufe the fouth winds blow; 
With breathings warm aflift my mints. 

And make my fpices flow. 4g ..^ 
JO Then let my love his prcfence fweet 

Unto his garden grant. 
That he mqy eat his pleafant fruit, 

Which he himfelf did' plant. 



M|;'"i ji '1^1 1 I p nil 

;•- S ONO^ XIV,^ ^ * 
. From &ffjp v..Ty j^i 3, 4. 

Cmust. - 

Syx Into iQy garden fittr $ 
- ~ My my rrh^ and ^phce 4»f fiteet |)erfukBev 
With pkafure I do /hare. - 

2 On hone J, wine, and milk. I ieH^y 
. ■ ' All friends coQ>e cat with me, 

And dpnk ro)^ wne of heay'nly tafte^ ' 
Yea^ dirink tbundan^« 

• ^ ^ ^ . ■ SfOUIB. ^. 

3 White'ChriH invites, my floth ptevMb, *, 
* Yet fometbihg: wakes in me,r 

'^ To hearken to Chrif^S' knocks and^aUs^ 

• ^ .ilis yOif:•>%rcakf|rreffiaglyv 

■' ■'■■■ . Christ. ' . \ "." 

4 Open tp me» my (ather^s <fa|tild s 
y^ Open to me, iny love ; 

Open to me, my undefil'd^ 
Open to me, my dvrve. 
^ Yvom love I'm ftanding at thy door, 
Thy heart <:aft opeft foon ; 
A midnight (hcw'r of wrath I bore, 
To fave thee when undone. 
. ' S>ous«. 
^ I am undrefsM, and reft is fwe^ 
From bed I cannot rife ; •T 
How (hall I now defile my feet ? 
Thus (loth 'did me entice* 

7 By the key-hole, my well-belov'd 

His hand of power put in, 
So xhM my^ bowels all were mov'd, 
for being ungrate to him. 

8 When I rcu'z'd up, obcy'd his knock| 

My hands dropt pleafantly 
With oil oi myrrh, left on the lock, 
Vvhich made the bolt to fly. 
^ To my bcfoy'd I open'd fai^, 

Who, to my gru?, >J^a% ^ot\^\ 
I fahittd, when his ^pttcVw ^^^ 
I a]OW»foUy xhoui;Vix ow. 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. ' %^^ 

ID I foftght hiih then with cirefalacfs,, 
But fouod he could not be : 
I call'd on him in thrs diftrcfs,. 
He did not aafwer me. 
1 1 The watchmen who do go their rounds, 
And keen the city- wall, 
Abus'd me, and did give me wounds, 
And tore away my vaii. 

SONG XV. 

-/^DiALOCDE betwixt the Spoufe and Daug^iteri tf Jerufa- 
lem, From S^ng v, S. to the end,^ 

Spouse, 

1 /^ Saiem*8 race^if yoa him find/ 
^^ 1 charge you tell my cafe ; 
I'm (ick of love, fore paiaM in mind, 

He cnly can me eafe. 

DaUGHT£1$. 

2 faircf: one, we fain wouid know 

The objedl of thy love j 
What charms he hath, that thou doft fo 
Fraife him all men above. 
SpoysE. 

3 My love is white and ruddy too, 

The chief of thoufands ten j 
His innocence and fuff^rings do 
Him beautify to men. 

4 His bkffed hfid doth far excel 

The gold thiat is moft fine, 
His locks are black and curled well, 
They raven like do fliine. 

5 His eyes are like the eyes of doves> 

When they iu flocks are met 
Near water-ftreamT, which they dj love 
Milk-walh'd and fitly fet; ' 

6 His cheeks are like the flow'rs, 

And beds where fpicts grow; 
His lips like lilies arc, from whence ' 
bwect fmclliijg myrrh doth flow. 

7 As rings of gold with bsryA fct^ ^ . 

So do his hands appear v ' ' 

X 2. 



«4: - «CRIPrijRE SONGS ; 

To daughter went he as ft Jamb| 

And opened not his mouth. ' 

i« Before the (heareni Itke a (hccp. 

He dumb and filent lies, 
; He meekly goes tbrd^far waters deep ' 

Withor-t repining cries, \ \ 

^ I i His foul in traveling angui(h licsj 

'^ His pains were moltiply'd, 
f - But when the bleffed fruit -he fees, ' 

- , Be is well fatisfyM;- ^ ' -^ ^ 

SONG' xyrir. 

■mm ■■'■'. 

^ TBANKSGiviNoyor RsbxBMiNCS Lovs : From Rom^ V. 
iJ-f^. xiiL 

2 TI7HEN we wcre^eftilim of flrciigth, 
' I ^^ burfelves to;help and (ave, 

? For the ungodly Chriil at length v 

j. His life a ranfotn fi;ave« 

. ' 2 Scarce any for a righteoa& man 
Will dare his life tolftake, 
And tor a good man it were much 
Such an exchange to tnake : 

3 But God his matchlefs love comftiends^ 

When his moft- glorious Son 
DyM for us while unrighteous, 
V^le linncrs and undone. 

4 Since by his Wood Chrift us from fiir 
^ Doth juftify and free, 

Then Surely from the wrath to come^. 
We ever fafe (hall be. 

5 If Chrift for enemies to God 

Did die, to. end the rtrife \ 
- Much more when reconciled' thus, 
He'll fave us by his life. 

6 Yea, more than fo, we joy in God, 

Through Jclus Chriit our Lord ; 
The great atonement we reibieve, 
And fo obey his word. 
J Now he that's Lord of quick and dcad^ 
Tht God of love and peact> 
Thn £rom the grave broug,Vi\.CW\^ ^>ax\A^.^^ 
And* lum to life did xi\{^ \ 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. i^S 

S Wbo, as the fhepherd great and good^ 
• His life for us did jEcrant, 
And did eilablifh« with his blood, 
Tk' eternal covenanty 

9 May he in us his work fufil, 

Till he us perfedl make, 
Still Arength'ning us to do his will 
For our Redeemer's fake j 

10 And work ip us what his word fays, 

Is pleafing him bef«re, 
Through Jefus Cbrift, to whom be praife 
And glory cvermofe. 

SONG XIX. 

Matchless Love in the Gift o/Cun.isT : From Jafin iii* 
i^toi-j. 

1 /^Wondrous divine love to men I . 
^^ When wrath 'gaiafl us did fwell, 
God took our nature, bore our guilt, 

To fave our fouls from hell. 

2 As Mofes in the wilderncfs, 

Did lift high on a pole, 
A brazen ferpent, for dung men 

To view and be made whole ; * 

J So Jefus Chrift, the antitype. 
Was lifted up on high 
Upon the- crofs, that wounded fouls 
Might look and healed be. 
4 'And there, he fays, whoe'er bclieyes 
In him unfeignedly, 
Shall never perilh in their fins. 
But live eternally. 
^ God lov'd the world, fo as to give 
His Son to dwell in clay. 
And die, that all who in him truil 
Might live with God for ay, 
. 6 Good news ! that Christ there twice declares' 
All who in him believe 
Are f«£e from. hell, and ever (hall , 
With Gocl in ucavcn livcj 
7 Aad iiiac uis 6uu Gud did uoX. i^^^ 
^ioit world to. coQ,d«:avn^ , - 



^5^ - SCRIPTURE SONGS. J > 

B|it by hit bla6d be did intend 
To (kve condemned mn« ^ - 

^ 8 iBdievers all with Cl^trift (hall lire 
- And ne'ci* condemned 6^; .. ■_^ 

. The broken law'he iadsfy?d, ■ "'■. 

,Them for to juflify. \ .^= 

9 Bat renigeance jaft for ever lie* ■ 

On all the rebel race, ' . - , 
Who God V eternal So|i defpife,. 
And Icorn his i>fEer*d erfiee. - 

10 Obey Chrift^s call wha Sivet .the loft. 

Serve God th»t'« One in Three j ; ' 
- To Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft;- 
Give praife eternally*. -^^ 

s a*r G jbr. - 

GOD^ Lovjsw CHRIST unaitembUi From Rom. viii. 
, ^ " , - .31 io the end* 

I /^ OD*s love- in Chri^H tranfcend) our thouglitfy 
V-^ In favin^ men frm wo 5 
If God's for us, and Hands our friend. 
Who ihen can be our foe ? 
, 2 Since God for us fpar'd not this Son, 
But gave him up to die, 
His leffer gifts he'll not refufe, 
Nor ought that's good deny. 

3 Who ^all God's eled ones arraign, . * 

Whom God hath juftify'd ? ^ . 
Or who will dare thofe to condemn 
For whom this Surety dy'd > 

4 Chrlil dy'd for us ; yea, in his lOve, 

He rofe up for our fake, 
. And doih at God's right hand for us 

Still intercefiion inake, 
j Who from Chrifl's love (hall us devidc ? 
Shall trouble or diArefs 
Shall perfecution or the fwoxd, 
Famine or nakednefs ? 
Nay, o'er all thefe we triumph fhall, '' 

Witii the ccleftial pow'ts •, 
Through Jcfaa Chri&'s v\&oi\o\3ls\o>i«| 
IVcVc fliore thaa tonquwQW% 



SCRIPTURE. SONGS. 2$^' 

7 I am* pcrfuajjed death, nor life, 
Nor principalities, 
Ncft" finite powVs, nor prefent things. 
Nor yet futurities : 

8 Na height, no depth, no creature (hall 

Diffolve the twitted cord 
Of mutual love 'twixt God and us, 
In Jcfus Chrift our Lord. ' 

9 Unchangeable is love divine, 

Time makes it not decay ; 
For thofe whom once the Lord doth love 
He them doth love for ay. * - 

10 From love, great mercies us thou givM, 

But one we'll fing of*ftill ; 
Eternal thanks to God for Chritt, 
His gift unfpeakabl^ ! 

SONG XXL 

THiju^SGiviNo/or GOD^s/ree /ove in and through CHRIST f^ 
• From Eph.u 3, &c. Eph. iii. i8, &c. 

1 T> LEST be Chrift's God and Father dear, 
-L^ For all our heavenly fare ; 

In Chrift he hath enriched us, 
With fp'ritual blcffings rare. 

2 In love he chofe us in his Son, ^ ^ 

Before the world he made, 
To make us blamelefs holy»men, 
Like Chritt our holy Head ^ 

3 Predeftinate us of his grace, 

By Jefus Chrift did he, 
To be adopted children all, 
In his own family : 

4 That all the praife might ftill rcdoimd 

To glorious grace alone j 
The Lord bath us accepted made, 
- In his beloved Son: ^ 

5 In whom, through his moft precious blood, 

We have redemption free, 
^\*ti full Temiflionof our fins, 
That rich grace all might fee. 

6 In wifdom God makes gtace to U4 

Fio\s out abundantly, '^ 



58 ^ \ SCaUPTURE SOSQSi*' ' ' 

That ^race may he H^f U^g fong 

To all eternity. </ ' . 

-" 7 M^ we be gracing witbnhc fainta -». 
Chrift^a love ta cbipprcheDc!, 
Wliofe breadth and yigik, and di^h ud hciigbe 
,- D» bpondlcrily: e^ctud ) ' _ . ,- 

8 AaiL pre& to know tErt woiifceiia love « ' . 

Whtch kfiQwledgfe all exceeda, 
That from his folneik we may .bave 
' Supffly to all (mr haeda, 

9 Now unto God. who can do moiEt^ 

Than we tan aflsL.oT think, 
^ According to Ilia mtg^ty pow'r/.. 
That took us frooD. belt's briak, 
■10 All glory in the churcbiby Chnft ' ", - 

» To him be^ad^rcd thctj, -..^ ' : 

Through ages all for'CitcrmQCje>.. " ~ 
Let jdl men.fay :^/n^. 
.^ ' S <>K G XXli. . 

Our bopi it in CHRISTY RioHTtousNiif, ifiJin being Hi) 
htm: From Phi/, iii. 7, &c. 2 Cor, v. I, &ۥ 

1 HTHOSE things 1 heretofore thought gain, 

•*• And of them made my boaH, 
For Chrift that doth me juftify,. 
I gave them up for lol!. 

2 Yea, doubtlefs, *tis my fixt refolve, 

To count all things bur lofs> 
That I the excellence may" know 
Of Jefus and his crofs. 

3 All worldly things for him I've loft, . 

I them as dung cfteem, 
That I may Chritt my treafure win, 
And fafe be found in him. 

4 My rightcoufncfs as rags I quit, 

I plead ^hat Chrift hath done j 
This righteoufotfs which God ordains, 
By faith 1 take dlone. 

5 May I know Jefus in that power 

Which rais'd him from the grave, 
That withiiim in his fufferings 
I /eJiowfliip may have •, 
6 And being conformed Xo Vva d«^\Vv> ' 
By dying unto fin, , 



SCRIPTURE SONGS, i59 

A refurredtion bled from'Hcath 
I may obtain through him. 

7 Yea, now wc know *if this chy houGs 

DiflolvM were off the field', 
An heav'nlv houfe we have on high, 
Which God himfclf doth build. 

8 With drongdeftres we therefore groan. 

That to us it were giv'n, 
To know that blifs, and be new cloth'd 
W ith our pure houfe in hcav*n, 

9 We walk by faith, and not by'fight, 

And hence we often fay, 
Content we VFould the body leaVe, 

Xnd dwell with Cbrill for ay. 
20 Faith's views of Chriil prompt us to («ek| 

And niake it ftill our care 
That whether here, oi^ with our Lord, 

Of his love we may (hare. 

SONG XXIIL 

A THANitsGiviNG/c7r tbn Truits (?/CHRIST's Resurrection ; 
Trom I Fet. i. 3, 4, &c. 

1 "TOR ever bleffed be the Ggd ^ 
^ And Father of our X^ord, "^ 
Whofe mercy doth to us abound, 

According to his word : 

2 Who hath begotten us again 

Unto a lively hope, 
By Chrift his rifing from the dead, 
Of faith the blcft'ed prop : 

3 For by it we arc well fecur'd 

Of an ihheritance. 
That's not corrupted nor dcfil*d, 
Nor fades by any chtn|;e j 

4 Which is for us in heav'n referv'd, 

And we are kept for it. 
By the almighty pow'r of God 
. Through f^iith, till wc be fit^ 

5 For that laivation glorious, 

To be rcveard at lait, 
Of which we wait to bepoSftft^ 
Whea times and daj« att ^^&» 



^Mb ' acumntE SONGS. 

6 Jb tliit bkll kpe wM» fCfOMe, 

ThoDg^ fiir a time ne.aeed' 
' Hm to be kept is bttmeft, 

TbmtghtriilsiBttldplyM.- - - 

7 Our fiutb, more piceioitt dba gold, - 

By fife u tried liefe» \ ^ 

Thet imto pnife itmij be fooiid, 

Wkeo Jefof doth appear. ^ 

8 Tbii Jefof » tboogk wiCkii we loFe, 

In kim belieViiig ftOli 
' Vinbk:h.jie|ds«9j(^imfpjfcakable,' 
TfattifofgloryfoQ. 

9 Wfcea Urpi comje^ «c Hull tccdre ' 

The bleft end ciotxhiA ; i*^ 

■Even the iilTation of our GhiIs, 
ProcDr'd os by hirdenth.^ 

SON G XKIV. 

Tie SoNt o/GQD mamfifiidt FrMi i J^bm iii« x, 2, 

1 "DEHOLt) how matehlefs is tUit lotrc ! 
V The Father hath bcftow'd 

On men, that we (hould be adopt, 
And callM the Sons of God ! ^ 

2 His image he mak^s us to beari 

As Sons of heavenly birth \ 
This dignity exalts us far 
Above the kihg^ on earth. 

3 Though now the woHd us doth not know. 

As Chrift it never knew, 
Yet God doth own us as his fons, 
We're changM and born anew. 

4 Aod what hef eatter we fliall be, 

It doth not yet appcarj 
But this we know, when Chrift fhall come, 
We (hall his likenefs bear : ' 

5 For we (hall fee hira as he is, 

And like him fhine full bright : 

We then come near our glorious Sun, 

From whom we have our light. 

6 As Chrift is holy, fo muft we \ 

All who hope for ihai Komt^ 
TAenjfcIvcs will alCo puiUy, 
As he the Lord is pure. 

X 



, SCRIPTURE SONGS. rft 

7 Let's here, as Grangers, follow peace. 
And walk with one accord,' 
And always ftudy holinefsy 
As We would fee the Lord. 
S No eye hath feen, nor'^arhath heard, 
No heart can things above 
Conceive, which Jefus bath prepared 
For thein who hlofi do love. 

S O N G ^ XXV. 

The glorious TRINITY adored, and CHRIST'S Lova <•*. 

tolled: From Rev, i. 4, 5, &c. Rev. iv. 8, fcc. 

1 "Xl'AY we have grace and peace from Cpd^ 
^^ The glorious One in rhree, 

Who us created and redeemed, 
And us doth fandify : 

2 £v'n from the Father who flill was, 

Who is, and ftill fhall be, 
And from the fev'nfold working Sp'rit, 
Before his throne on high ; 

3 From Jcfus Chrift, the witncfs true, 

And firft born from the dead, 
Who of all earthly kings and pow'rs 
Is Prince and ruling Head : 

4 To this great Lord, that fo lov'd men. 

Such lothfome men as we, 
As wa(h us in his precious blood. 
Our fouls from fin to free j 

5 To hXxQ. who made us kings and prieflst 

To God his father high. 
Be glory and dominion 
Through all eternity, 

6 Behold he comes with flying clouds. 

Him evVy eye (hall fee, 
And unbelievers vAhahim pierc'd 
Shall wail moft bitterly. 

7 But let believers hit their heads 

With joy, to fee and hear, 
For then complete redemption 
To them is very near. 
S The hoils above tncir homage pay^ 
Ai)d crownn caft on t\\e ^to>3LtA^ 




^^ ' SCHIFTURE SONGS. ^^H 

jU They tvcver ctafe by night nor day, ^ ^^^| 

f Thefe praifes to rtfoubd : jfl| 

' 9 ' O b6ly, holy, holy Lord, "^ 

* AlmJghty God alone, 
'Who ever was, and alfo is, 

* and ever is lo come !' 
ID Glory, pow6r^ and honour ilill 

ThoaVt worthy to receive ; 
All things were 3tjade to pleafe tliy will. 

And by thy pleafure live, 
II Moft vvorthy, Lamb, art thou, they (itig. 

To be adored thus j 
Let with thy praife heav*n's inanGons ring, 

For thou wail flain for as* 

SONG XXVL 
T^^ L^MB that wffijkin ettrmliy exulted i From Ri 

1 T^HE hiav'flly ho{ls and elders join, 
A To bow before the Lamb, 

With golden harpi, and fweettft tunes, * ^ 

They trumpet forth his fame. 

2 They, cry, ' Q Father^ who {hall look ^ 
' Into thy fecret will \ 

■ Worthy the L;iT^b to take the book, 

* And open cvVy feaL 

3 * Thou'rt fit God's royftVies to rcrcal, 

* For thou waft flain for us, 

* And thy blood purchased us to God, 

* Which thou fticd'il oii the crofs. 
± * From cvVy nation, kindred^ tongue, 

* Thy precious blood us bought \ 

* Well thou defer V 'ft our praifingfongs, 

* Who us falvation brought, 
c ' Unto the Lamb that once was (lain 

* Be tndiwfs praifcs giv'n, 

* By all that dwell upbn the earth, 
And all the'hofts of heav'n, 

6 * Thou haft us ranfuni'd with thy blood, 

* And fct ub pris'ners free ; 

* Thou mak'it us kings and priefts to God, 

* And we UiaW te\gtv^\Xio. vVit^t*' 
7 Let's join, while here, ovit cVi^^xVvs\.Wi^N 

With hoils atouud tVic X\itoii^ 



SCWPTURE SONGS. 

Ten thoufand tboufands are their tooguc9, 
Yet all agree ia one, 

8 * Worthy the Lamb that dy»d (they Cry). ' 

* To be exaltpd thus, 

' Worthy the Lamb (let ut rjCply) 

* For he was flain for us. 

9 ' The Lamb is worthy to receive 

' Strength) wifdoin> riches, might : 
' Eternal honours we afcribe 

* To him, for 'tis his right. 

10 * Let heav'n and earth unite in onCi 
' To praife the glorious name 

* Of him that (its upoft the throne, 

* And to adore the Lamb.* 

SONG xxvn. 

ji view of the Saimts and Martyrs in heaven : 
From Rev. vii, 

1 T ET^s view by faith the faints above.. 
A^ Redeemed from fin by Jcfuriivej 
Their various tribes, their fweet employ^ 
In raptures of eternal joy. 

2 The patriarchs, with Jacob's race, 

Rais'd up to heav'n by God*8 free grace ! 
With fongs they praii^ their father's God, 
Who led them home the hcav'nly road. 

3 Next, fee a numerous multitude, 
Redeem'd from hell by Jefus* blood. 
From evVy nation, kindred,' tongue, 
Who (ing an everlaAing fong. 

4 In white robes cloth'd they all do ftand, 
With palms of triuinph in their hand : 

* Salvation to God on the throne, 

' They cry, and to the Lamb his Son.* 

5 Next thefe, come angels, and fall down. 
Humbly adorning Three in One j 

* T^ey cry, Amen, give glory, powV, 
' And thanks to God for evermore.' 

€ But whence come thefe in white who (hlne, 
All cloth'd with rjghteoufnefs divine > 
Thcfc come from fu£Pf ings great \^ 0<>^^ 
Their robes they vfaftTd itk tti^ Lac«io?^\iNa^^* 



i 



SCRIPTURE SOXGS. 

7 Tlie ■uttrr^s tHab now arc c»*eT, 
Tlie^ fee God"** fac^ foe cvermi^e ; 

' 'ITieyVc fawl, Hc'» acn and wc are hU* 

8 Ka more tbc beat iliall ihtm iDrmcntf 
Of fctirchiEig fun xbc^^ve no cum plaint | 
Tli« Lamb, who ilimes amidil ibe tbrQiie^ 

^ Shstll be their evefbilicg fun* 
» 9 To Fathet, Sc5, and Holy Gbofl:» 
One Go6t w ho faved u^ irhcn lait, 
Be ev*Tlafiing gloty giv'^t 
By all on eaitb ac^d all m beav^'ui, 

SONG XXVIIL 

and Rev^ 3cv« &c* 

1 T>EHOLB, an zngd doth defcead, 
^ Wilh pow'r and glory gteat| 
T«> £arth be come^, for a j^ood end, 

Bltft tidlngi to relate ! ^- -^ 

2 ' Great Babylon tlut dfd enthrall 

* The kingdom* _of tbe eartb, 

' 1 be time 15 come for her to fall, 
--> * Which calls for holy mirth, 

.,3 ' Let WnvVi's be glad, with all tbe fai^tij 

* Let prophets ail icjoicc ; . - 

§* Gcd doth avenge your long com plaint 1 1 
* With pravfc lift up your voice- 

4 * A Riilftonc*s caft hy GabtUl, 

* And 10 the fca is drown'd 1 
' 1 hus t<rrr[bly fhall Babel fall, 

' * And ncvtr tnore be found/ ^ 

5 Upon Ihc fca oE gUfs they ftand, 

'1 he beail who overcome^ *^" 

With harps of gold Intcj tbeir hand, 
To celebrate ber doooii* 

6 Thefc conquerors do meet in throngs, 

And to Jchovab*s nam^, 
^ They plcaianlly unite tbe fcjogs. 

Of Mofes and the Lamb, 
7 By AJc^fes* h'<ind tbc enemy 
Did fink deep in <h^ ft^^ \ 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. • afs 

So drownM our fins are ib the fea 
Of Jefus' precious blood. 
S The conquerors with fluent tongues , 

Chriti's honour will proclainii 
In Tweeter notes than Mofes' fongs. 
They Ml tune thofe of the Lamb. 
9 All nations fhall to thee bow do^n, 
And worihip rev'rentljr, 
When once thy judgnsents are made known 
Againil thine enemy* 

10 The hoijts of God, with one confent, 

Shall hallelujah's fing j 
When the Lord God Omnipotent 
Takes his great powV to rei^P» 

11 At length will end the deviPs reign 

Ov^r the fons of men, 
Let hcav'n and car>h rejoice and fipg, 
With all that dwell in then}. 

SONG XXIX, 

The good news of (he Ram^om o/*ChrwtV ?lood. 

1 /^ REAT pity God fhews • 
^^ To Gentiles and jews ; 

He fent them his gofpel to bring them good news : 
Good news to the loft, ' 

With racking fears tofs'd, 

That found is a ranforo, in which they may boaft. r\ 

2 A ranfom of blood, 
That runs like a flood* 

Their fins off to carry, who God's law with(lood» 
News! that Chrift wis iLind, 
When belles powers combined, 
To, rout them he freely his dear life refign'd, 
' 3 Blood 11 ream 'd from his ildCy 
T' atone for our pride j 
Sin was the tormentor that hlna crucify^d 
When we have him viewM| 
With his blood einbruM 
May we by this |Scofpe£i get all fin fabidu\L ^ 
4 What fight do we fee? 
Ghrii ftrctcbM OIK the tttt> 
For xflKh aa we asci moft WiWW \.o dXitV 



^» SCRIPTURE SO?rG S 

Pains dreadful he felt, 
O kt our hcatii tnelt 
Tcr fin tKat did pierce liim> -when lie bore our gultf, 

5 Stace'for fins of mtn 
God's dear Lamb wai flatn^ 

Hard mull the w^nh heirc be, ttiat yet feels no paiitt 

When the fun did faint, 

And hardeft rocks rent, 
Shall we be fo i^ubborn as never relent ! 

6 Our ^larious Head, 
Our vifkim was mide, 

Xo heal nit when wounded his blood all he fhedi 
I In oar plaee he flood. 

And pouted uut his b^ood. 
Yea, gives us free aecefs to that healijig fnod, 

7 Chrift's fcaft we*!! attend, 
And his love eomtnend. 

Well think on his fuffVings till our hearts da Fend* 

His woundi PJl not view 

l,ike a hardcaM Jew, 
But when fct before me, my grief I'll renew, 

:.. SONG XXX- 

The niWJ of Cbki^t^s pierce J feet : From Ifa* Hii. 7^. 
pOW beautiful upon the Mount J 

Were Chrift's feet pierc'd on our account^ 
Where he was crucify M ! 
His feet though nailed to the tree* 
Swift tidings bring to you and Ene, 
God*s wrath is pacify M, 
2 Tidings that Chrift has purcb^s'd peace-, 
With ireafures fall of needful grace, 

To fupply all our wants- ^ • 

Good ncvfs! that he bath purchasM room^ 
For every needy fou] to come^ 

To 6t and feaft with fabts^, 
3. Were men at God's bar flri6tly try'd^. 
None living could be Jufttfy*d, 

All wouki be guilty found. ' 
From juftice throne vit danets %y . 
Ho Chrift our bleeding Pmft. one Vsa^Jj^ 
Where mercy lioiVi «i\iQi!atA* • 
In Ghrifl's the proiper ixx«cy-^e^x.» 



H' 



SCRIPTURE SONGS. rf? 

His blood hath juftice recoaciicid, 
Its flaming fword hath q^it the field^ 
Jufllce is on our fide. ' 

5 Now God his friendiinefs to provei 
Invites us to a feaft of love, 

A rich and collly feaft j 
To partake of the rarclt food» 
Pardon and peace thro' bis Son's blood. 

Which angels ne'er did tsjlc. 

6 Lord, fin, the murderer here (lands, 

That piercM thy heart, thy feet and hands ; 

For ^hich I mourn and grieve. 
Lord, give a ftrong courageous i&ith. 
To doom each darlinjg luft to death. 

Sin ihall no longer live* 
7 This foe my Saviour betray 'd. 
It bound and hawlM him to be try'dt^ 

. And raisM the furious cry. 
To crucify the Lord our head : . 
But, good news ! he rofe from the dead,-" 

And pleads for us on hi^. 

SONG XXXL 

The LAMB'S Battle and ViCTowr. 

1 'T' HE Lamb fought for me, 

•*" My foes vanquifti'd he ; 
The lion he conqucr'd when nail'd t« the tree. 

The Lamb when he fought, 

Great viaory brought ; 
Ouf freedom from bondage to Satan he wrought* 

2 The Lamb for us dy'd. 
He was crucify'd j 

Yet, when at the lowell, hell's pow'ra he defy'd. 

He lay in the grave. 

Our lod fouls to lave. 
Yet rofe as our champion, moil valiant and brave. 

3 He fought and he fell, 
Yet overcame hell j 

He conqner'd and triuroph'd for fuch as rebeL . 
He rofe for' our fake; . 
And did the eavlh ^ik/t^ 
The deviU aad.keepcri V> XrembVa dvd tck^^f^^ 




SCTHPTUJtE SO%*GS: 



4 Tken rockt litej dui tcad ; 
Htm m^clf sitcod,^ 
Jit CBs^i^ kit difdpkt^ lUJ be did sJccad. 
He went qp ia au^bl, 

A ciottd 111 a rrceiTcd oo£ of hi» frleodi figlil* 
J Above ht did I^nd, 

Siu on God 'a rigfibhaad. 
Our bigK Pf'kCt sod S^^^'fci^ii^ all thiagi to command, 

Tbrre he ftkaids oa %u^h, 

Irfoud doik La blood cry^ 
Tv pardon to Giuien, « bo to him do tij* 

6 Tbe Lamb^f judge of oil, 
Tbe dead b* wm caU, 

iUl nvft ftidd before him^ be tbey great or fmall* 

Hit mttcf U gteat, 

Hit blood paid oar debt. 
Be ikUI tbea abfolve 05^ when jodgement ii fet. 

7 Of Chrift that did die, 
Btsi uom rcigoi oo bigb, 

Piirfoogs, whh fwcct roufic, we'll fpread tbrougb the iky. 

\ With bolSi hearts and rongucs i 

We^n fing ibc Lamb*s foDgs, 4 

L«t cv'ry foul join u*, that to him bclongt, ] 

SONG XXXII, 
CHRIST^5 SuFFSiuifG^s, and his Lov^e ia Belie vikq Som,!* 
X \)L HEN Jefus pour'd out Wood and tears, ^ ' ^ 

\_ ^^ A fiokin? load of wralb be bcart, r , 

God's judfce to appeaie. | 

A bloody Tobe for ur he woxe, 
Hi« foul in pain did travel fore. 
And all to bring us cafe. 
The plougbers his dear back did plough, . 
Their fcourg^s here Ipng furrovvs drew, 

In whicb bis blood did run* 
They him exposM to all.difgr^ce. - 

They fpat upon bis blei&d face, . 

His love this did not Jhun. 
He bore our cuife and ^uoithment, 
fiicd blood till cv."*'r^ d^o^ vi'4^ ^^ttikX,'', 
To ranfoniua itom ^\ii^* 



ftCRIPTURE SONGS. a^ 

Who can his love enough commend, 
That faves all criminals condemn^], 

Who look to him by faith ? ' 

4 From fin and wrath thou dofi relieve 
The chief of finners who believe, 

Thy wounds do them inclofe : 
Their fouls in ihefe thy people hide, 
And there they conftantly abide. 

Safe from their deadly foes. 

5 A fcreen from wrath, 1 know of none, 
But Jefus' righteoufncfs alone. 

Which covers all our fin," 
Stridt trial this can well endure^ 
For it is infinitely pure, 

No flaw is found therein. 

6 Thou when on earth the fick didft heal. 
And to, the hungry bread didfl deal, 

Our fouls when (larving feed ; 
More praciousthcy are than clayj 
Lord jfcfus, pity fouls this day, 

And fatisfy our need. 

7 Believers by thee arc btlovM ; 
A kingdom, ne'er to be removed, 

bhall unto them be giv'n. 
Rich crowns on them thou wilt bcflow. 
No matter what they want below, 

They'll be made up in heav'n. 

SONG XXXIII. 
CHRIST'S great Sufferings bring great Benefit to ui^» 

1 '^PHELambfilentftood, 

•*• While men (hed his blood ! 
Himfclf he gave freely, to be our fouls' food. 

Crown'd was he with thorn, 

UsM with fpite and fcorn. 
Yet patiently bore it, to favc the forlorn. 

2 Expofed he Hands, 

With nailM f^et and hands, 
Deep pierced, long bleeding, to pay law*s demands. 

No man's tongue can tell^ 

What grief him befel, 
la faviDg loR. finners from iioking Xo \v^\\%. 



^ja SCRIPTURE SOKGSt 

■ 3 He doam'd to die 

I On Mount Calvary, 

Lgorc pre&'y lie did utter hh bfl hitter cry, 

V Our ^gih whicb ht bore 

I SqucczM blood from cacTi pore, 

f Gfeat wfi* his foal's torture , that made him to roar, 
r 4 Hit woi;nd< bring ui pcftce, 

J His paitis give us eafe, 

FFrom fin's pofw'r and bgndage thcj 4o us rclcafc* 
* Chrift Uraying foals fiugbt^ 

TVicir pardon he bought, 
From Satan's vile ilav'ry thctr frtedi>mbe wrougTit* 
5 Lord^ thy love's dlviJKj* 
It dolb kindle mine4 
let It caufe in me Hi gi^cci to Qiint, 

'Bead fouls to revlvcj 
7 Wbeo they life derive 

Ttdm tby vvoundi^ the foui^iaiQ tbat makcB mcn alire, 
[, 6 Vm finfuland vile, 

^l My heart's full of guile, ^irfJ^ 

It will be free mercy if on me thnu fmilt, ^^^'Jr'' 
Lord, do not d&fpife 
My foul's feeble cricij 
Receive a loft finncr that to thy binod flies, 
* 7 This blond faves frqm hell. 

And ffats doth difpel, 
The ihamlers of Sinai the Lanib*« blood dcith quell. ^ 
1 plead tby free grace. 
One fmik of thy face, 
Qf vtgrd lo me fpoken^ would iill me with peace. ^ 



FINIS,. 



APPENDIX. 

CONTAINING, 

I. A LECTURE on i Cor. xi. 17. to the End. 

II. A Preparation Sermon from Jo/, iii. 5. 
UL An Action Sermon from Cant, ii 4. 



A Lecture on i Cor. xi 17. to the end, concerning the 

Iriflitution of the Lohd's Supper.. 
Vcrfe 17. Now in this that I declare unto you j Ipraifeyou not 9 thai 
you come together^ not for the better ^ hut for the r,uorfe 

18. Forfirji ^ alU when ye come together in the churchy I bear that 
there be divijions among you; and I partly belie*ve it» 

19. For there mufl be alfo herejies among you^ that they which wre 
approved may be made manifejl among you. 

IN this paflage the apoftle takes occaHon to reprove the 
^reat diforders and abufes crept in among them in ad- * 
niinidrating and partaking of the Lord's Tapper, which (as 
the ancients tell us) was commonly adminiflrated with a 
love feaft annexed to it, which gave occaiion to the fcandal- 
ous diforders here reprehended. 

Verfe 17. We have the manner of his introducing the 
charge, * Now in this that I declare unto you. 1 pr^ilt you 

* not, &c.' Which (hews his willingncfslo commend them 
fo far as he could. But fuch fcandalous diforders ns chey 

•were guiity of in fo facred an iniVtution, he could not pafs 
without a iharp reproof Why ? they inverted the^very end 
and defign of the ordinance, which was intended to make 
them better, or to promote their fpiritual intereils, but it 
really made th«m worfe. Wherefore he fays, tney * canne 

* together noc fur the better, but for the worfe.' 

Obiervc I. That Cbriii's ordinances, if they do not 
make us beacr, tiiey are apt to make us worfe. If they do 
us no good, they may do us harm j if they do not melt and 
mend, iney wiU hc^rden^-and that corruptions will be con- 
firmed ih us, if the u.«jpcr means do not work a cure of 
them. 2. li co.ctrus us all to enquire into the iuccvfs of 
ordmanccb aiid loleuin mtrcci.ig^. v '■■ ';.!» lud, if our meetings 
tend to incr^afe our lin, ii:r<.cjii 01 t\in increaie of our 
grace, Let u> earncilly deprc'. -u; ':;.i«. 

Vcric 18. * hot hii« '.li Ah.^ w..-.vv nv. v:\v..\v. voNji^^i'^ciRxX"^ 
^ tbechurcli, i hear lhei«=: ^-ti dkviVi.c.Vivi A\^v\v.»..'.,^i^:^^-. --'^-''" ^^'^ 



F 



an A P P E N D I X. 

fell it^to divitiontt fc^^j parties, and faftJDnt, in tbeir ccliw 
bralin^ of thiiordinancej thej fell aquarreliog one witKa* 
n^tb^r ibout meats and drinks in the love feftfls, or abaut 
tbe order of their down Cttin|r, or the time when tKcy ftiould 
begin, ot did not ftay till they all came up. The whole 
church did not join togethcrt but they e^t it feparatel^j 
there was alfa uncharitablcnefi, allegation of Iffe^iam, dif- 
cord ^d contentions anion g^ them, whjch very much marred 
their edification J and fuccefi of the gofpeK 

^fj^. Seeing fchifmiarc mcntroned here, what is meant 
thereby > Who are gnilty of fchifm and who are fchifmi* 
ticj? j^flf/iu- In Scripture the word is varioufly taken: i. Ti) 
taken for a difference in opioioni and fentiments about foroc 
points, when there is no heat of contention, or breach of 
c omm union * Such a d i vi fion or fch i fro w as a mong the PW 
Tifees, about Chrill^s curing the blind man, John ix, i6. hU 
faid * there wai a divJOon among them,' originally chidma^ 
And fuch fchifms may be among orthodox divines about 
lefler points > and yet managed without giviog offcncei 2. 
The general fenfe of the word Is^ a dividing and breaking 
off from the communion of the Church in public ordinaaces, 
without caufc, like ihefe Hcb. x, 25, * Not forfaking the 
* affembling oi ourfelves togetherjBs the manner of fome i*,' 
And in this fenfe the ancients took fchifm as diftinguiiiied 
from h e r e f y * A u g u d i n e fa i t h ^ Schi/tn aitcoxfacit n on dl'iitr^ 
fo Jides , fid ct^mmu nimis di/r upta ficklas^ 3 , 1 n this plao r^ 
-■-' and commo[ily in or her pbces of Scripture, as i Cor. i. la 
I Cor. iji. 4- 1 Cor. xii, 25. the word chidma is taken for 
wncharirabk, contentions, and divifi^e praflices among the 
profeffurs of the gofpel^ without breakin;^ off from the cora- 
•^' inun ion of the church ; when people are chargeable with 
^ uncharitable contentions and difcordSf and alienatioQ ofaf« 
legions from their brethren j fjr here ihey.caine logeiheri 
^^ and yet were fchifmatice, 

M ' Obfefve. There may be fchifin* where there is no fepara* 
" tion of communion* Perfoas may attend ordinances toge- 
ther, and fit together at the Lord's table, and yet be fchif- 
matia in Scripture fenfe^ by reafun of their uncharitable 
I contentionsj and alienation ot affections: Wherefis ChriRiani 
majf (epa^rate from each other's communion j and yet be cha- 
ritable towards one another^ and ihia isnot fo much Cchifni 
in Scripture feule,a$ to be u^^^hari table and contentious. 
The apgftle liad laad a Ttyuvl oivVlt ^i^Wv^^^'b^^Uichhe 
did the mo re ca fi I y b eU e v e | \j^ c^iA^t Vi t Wtvs ^t\^ \i^^^tk 1 



APPENDIX. ^73 

not only to be divifions bat herefiea alfoj that is, falfe doc- 
trines, more dangerous than fchifms ; for hereiies are cor- 
rupt opinions, which ftrike at the funcjamentah of Chrif- 
tianity and all found rcliyon. Herefy,. according to the 
modern fenfe of the word, is an error in the fuadamentaU 
of religion maintained with obftintcy j though we cannot 
fay the word necefTarily imports fuch a ftrong fenfe in this 
place, herefy and fchifm fometimes being fynonymous terms* 
Obferve i. We have no caufe to wondsr that there 
ihould be breaches of Chriilian love io the Church, when 
we know fuch offences will come as (hall make (hipwreck 
of faith and good confcience. 

^uefl. How fay» the spodle, ' Herefies mud come V 
What neceffity is there for them ? An/. 'I'here is no necef- 
iity offeree upon any man to broach them, any further 
than his own corruption, pride, vain glory, erivy, or con- 
tentious fpirit> or Satan's temptation prompts him to it* 
But the event is certain, becaufe of God's decree permit- 
ting them, who by his wifdom orders them for wife ends, 
that they ' who are approved may be made manifeft,' by 
their cohdiant adhering to the truth againil all thefe tem{»ta< 
tions of feducers. 

Obferve 2. A time of temptation and feduftion is a 
time of trial and difcovery, who are fincere and conltant 
adherers to the truths and ways of God, and who not. 

Obferve 3. It is a pleafure to God to fee the faith and 
conftancy of his upright ones difcovercd to the world, 

Obferve 4. The wifdom of God can make the errors 
and wickednefs of others a foil to the piety and integrity 
of the faints. 

Vcrfc 20. ' When ye come together therefore into one 
^ place> this is not to eat the Lord's fupper. 

21. * For in eating every one taketh before other his 
* own fupper ; and one is hungry, and another is drunken.' 
The heathens ufed to eac and drink plentifully at their 
feails upon their facrifices ; and this profane cuftom was 
creeping in- among the wealthier Corinthians. Many think 
the apottle was pointing here at their agapaiy or love fcaits, 
that in thbfe times either preceded or followed the Lord's 
fupper \ and they are called love feafts, becaufe they were 
deiigncd to manifeft their love to thtvt ^0\q^ Ocw\>J^v^^n^> 
both ]^Qox and rich, and the poor CMx\t^ vrv| ^\vax ^^' 
Mt at t/2cxn ; And alfo ihcy Wd \\v^m xq \^^x^^^^^ "* 



' ' -liwdV Uft fomer, ft wliick he cat the Parchd La 
•im he iBftttvtcKl that ardttoicf now called t^e Xar 
^Ik Tbefe love ifisaftirMni-feuoded qb no com 

^ idMil* bjit-WDC in by-ciiffon,^Mid l^y the Jtwa .« 

'■b{Mite^ the t^md'a fo|3g^ i uniifi^. im| 

•CEfM.^ <i^t>Bg the Pafchal Laaairhefoi^e the Uart^%\ 

«wlNid hifte « • teaft or.lnpper of their ow,n to prec4 

^ l^\ixi^^^%tA:)SMM^ provided it «t heme; 

Mcdt bsiogit 4otbe.|4aee .where the Churdiinei 

. thif fetAr ail. the pooavrefe iiinlaA«t the dawig^l 

iridL ^ftBexpeffidi* of their pifffeftMe aii|f iqM| 

. iMme 'fttehor. 9Dt i» ijhkfphiiidi gf^pt «bi|E^ 

% fptfiif iprfMEUc^:\the foo^ Chttfliaiia wer« oc| 

I^Wpift^^ 7W fich did either W invite dies, 

-. ^ walrfor^lviifti' ^ ^ >^ch haied to Mt vrhat 

4i^ broiEiglt|fWi|ktheiiiii and tomt, of them. eat ao^' 

^ Hg|».ei:eeS;f<r|ifat * ooe.w^ faotigty, another i»oa,dni: 

IW ftf^yflllorilMwigbf againft IJhif pntaice. aa -t ar9iiig i 

of dfaWtf ibto>n deba«ek» indiap thu whidi made 

locapable to partake of the Lord'a'f upper. This ' 

icandalous irregularity, a profaning a facred inftit' 

aixl corrupting a divine ordinance to the iaft degree. 

itiould have breo- a bond of mutual amky and a£mioo 

made^an'inlirument of diCcord and difunion. 

Obferve i. Duties not done as the> ought, are not 
at nil in ChnftH aecouat. Or a x^arelcfs crating and d 
ing of the Lord^ iupper is a> good as none, yea worfc 
not eating. So prayeis may be made, yet not made 
craincnts rcceiycdi ycl not received^ alc^ giveiiy yie 
given, becaufe-not done in the form and manner rcqi 
by God. . 

Obferve 2. A finccre foul mufl and will look not 
to>vthe matter «£Ae duty, but alio to tbe manner of 
forming it. 

Obhrrvc 3. it is a heinous .evil for Chridians to 
their ttildvw Chriiiian* with conumpt ana infolcnce^ efj 
ally at the Loxd^ table : ilur the rich to dtipiie tbe.| 
this is a great evil. 

Obicrve 4. That even in the apoftolical and piimi 
f/mts^ great ciloriitrs aivd ixte^ularities had crept into 
Qiurch 5 and tbai ihcie \b tvo CWicu \s\\.\i^uv \^^\. \xv 
im^crfca Itatc. 



APPENDIX. 275: 

Obfcrve 5. That the apofllc, notwithftanding of thefe, 
doth not dirc6l the one part of the Carinthians to feparatc 
from the other ; but he only reproves and rcdifies their 1- 
bufes. He doth not fay, Withdraw from fuch perfons, 
for they will pollute the ordinance to yoa. No, if they be 
polluted, it is to themfelves, and not to others. He eats 
and drioks damnation ^ to himfelf/ Every man fhall bear 
his own burden. Wherefore, fays he, * Let a man exa- 
• mine himfelf,* not his neighbour. The apoHle doth not 
.ijl. encourage feparation upon that ground, that there were 
fcandalous perfons admitted in Corinth, even iome drunlv 
about the time of partaking, which might be the occaflon 
of their divided way of communicating. But he xeproves 
their divided communicating, and charges them to come 
together to the Lord*s I'upper, and tarry for one another. 
He indeed (harply reproves their fcandalous pradice, and 
tells them that it was moft hazardful to thcmlelves to com- 
Riunicate unworthily, bat fp^jks of no danger to other*. 
He commands them to examine themfelves, and fo to eat^ 
but not to txaraine th^ir fellow communicants, which cer- 
tainly he had done, if th*;ir joining with ihem had made 
theij partakers of their fin and danger. 

Vcrfe. 22.* What, have ye not houles to eat and to drink 
in ? or defpife ye the church of G jd, and Hume them tha: 
have not ? What Ihall 1 fay to you ? Ihall I praile you in 
this ? I praife you not.* 

The apoiile here doth condemn both the abufes of thofe 
fealts, and alfo their keeping them in the place where the 
Church met. boms underlUni tke churchy of the houle. 
wherein the Church :^s met, a til call their feafting there, ai 
profaning or unhailowing the piac^ fet apart ior divine 
worship. Oihers underlland it of the people or poor mem- 
bers there met. ■ Why do you dcfpiic tncm ? By exclud- 
ing them fro.n your company, bccdufc of their poverty; 
and fo ye put'ihera to lha:ne whom God has adopted, and- 
admitted into his family. Thii f;:ait was originally delign- 
ed for the poor's relief, and ye exclude ihsm h-o;;i ic. 

Obferve 1. The defpilingot the poor membeis of the 
Church, is a dcipifing of tr.c Church ufelf, ye;i, Cbriit the 
bead of the Church, as he that pinccth the little toe, pain, 
eth the whole body, and the iiead tjo, 

Obferve 2. With wh.it Icwiiy auvi uV\\<\xi^V» \ici^ -jo^^^^^ 
reproves thei'e great dilordcr?, ^ ^>Via\\ V ^t;:\^^ n^.x'O V\. 
VTds the Urn time he had told tW.u ol X.\ii\x:i.vv5>.^^.*^^^'^^'^'^" 



I 

a7« APPENDIX, 

sipolojry had been falfe, bad they daily catcn tbe flefti of 
Chriil in the facrannent. It hath been always reckoned s 
mod deteftable thing to eat human fleih, and much more ii 
it to eat the God we wordnp, and devour him whom we 
pretend to adore. 

Obfcrve 2. That both bread and cup are ufcd together, 
which fhevfs the unwarrantable ufurpation of the Papiftf 
in depriving; the laity of the cup. It is dire^ly cobtnry 
to Chrift^ inftitution -, for our Saviour (as it were) fore* 
feeing the PapiOs encroachnient in this matter, is ifiore 
ezprefs in his injunction concerning the >cup, than tbe 
biead, in thcfe words. Matth. xxvi. 27. ' Drink ye all of 
* it ;* and their obedience is recorded of tbe cup and not 
of the bread, Mark xiv. 27. * And they all drank of it/ 
Now, why is Cbriftfo exprcfs in this? Surely it was, be- 
caufe he forefaw in the after ages this ordinance would b^ 
difmemhered, by the prohibition of the cuptothelaity^ and 
that by the Poplfli councils and canons, with an expreis noa 
obflante to the connmahd of Chrifl.. 

5. We have the facramental adiions, both on the minif* 
tcr's atid people's part. 

For the firft. Our Lord took the bread, he blefled it, 
he brake it, he gave it to his difciples. i. The taking of 
bread fignifies God's chufing, fetting apart, and appointing 
Chrift to be a furety and facrifice, and laying on him the 
iins of his people. 2. The blefling fignifies his qualifying 
2nd farniftiing Chrift with all gifts and graces needful for 
the discharge of his mediatory offices, and for anfwering 
his people's exigencies. 3. The breaking fignifies all 
Chrift's breakings, bruifings, and woundings, both in foul 
and body, which were for our fins, in order to fatisfy di- 
vine juflice, and procure falvation for us. 4. The giving 
iign:fi-> his cftcring. giving, and adlually bellowing Chriit 
and all his benefits on us. There is no pron\ife refcrvcd> 
no bklfings excepted or kept back; all is theirs. 

2dly, The a«fVions on ihe conamunicants part are to take, 
to ' <t, and dvink in remembrance of Chrift. 

^./^y?. What is meant by taking this bread ? Aif, It is 

the accepii'-jg of Chrift as he is off'cred to us; a receiving 

the /itonrment, approving of ii, cojifenting to it, coming 

up to the imns on wh\v.h x\\e V»ti\M^v u ^^wi^^^td^o us. It 

h an accejting of Chria^ gr\ce, ^v\ci WocvAvCvtv'j^x^Vv^'^ci. 

vcramcQt: Jielieving oa CWift. \^ f^^^i^^^^M v^Vv^% ^^ 



APPENDIX. 277- 

, up in battle array againft him. A wondrous inftance 6f bis 
love, in fpcnding To much of that little tims h-^ had ia the ■ 
woild (when he feemcd to have more need to mind hiia« 
fcif) in fettling an ordinance for the con^rmation and con- 
foiation of his people to the end of ihe world. Whatever 
f onic of bimftlf, his people rauii not be forgot.— Obfervc 
from the time of the iniiituti'oi, the ni^ht before his fuffer- 
ing, that it is very ncceffary when fuftirin^rs ire approach* 
Vng, to have rt courfe to the Lord's tabic, which affjrds both 
Ml antidote againfl fear, and a rcilorativc and cordial to 
fdith. Wherefore Chrift, for oiir example, coaiaaunicated. 
with his dcfciples the night before he fufFcred, 

3. We have the facramental elements, or the memora* 
tlve, Ognificalive, and inliru61ivc figiis, bread and wine. 

4. 'I'he things fignified thereby, the body and blood o£ 
C'hriR, his body broken and lljod fhcd, together with all 
t^e benefits whi.h flow fr^im his death jiud facrifice. 

Obferve i. There: is no traniubtlanliitio-i, as the Papiftft 
hbfurdly imi^glne. Why T Paul c^lls that which is catca 
//iW five times over in xhU j»:ilTdge, and even after what 
iht Pajiilh call confccra'.lon.. A plain argument that the 
■ ^poltli; knew no.hii.g yf their monltrouh dotlrine, which 
ziiakcs the bread by tiie words of confccrati jn to be chan- 
j;ed into the lubilancc f.f Chriii's body, only the accidents 
ofbrei.d Uiiiiir.ing j whi^h iiflrorjs and deliroys the nature 
i»f a ftjcrar.icnt, i^i.d gives the lit to our fcgfts. 'Tis called 
his body, bccaufe it wa? a fign aud rtprcfentation of it, not. 
Lis real body to be fure •, lor then h would follow, that 
Liuili tai his own body Ahile hlive, and that his dil'cipictf' 
i/ul the lame ; )ca, ihatihty devoureil that body over night 
which hurg upon iht ckjIs next morning, with a thoufand 
fuch like aifurditics. But wheiher the Papiits will or not,, 
ihty muft admit of a figurative e^preflion in this paffagc j 
for v^htn Chriil fays, ' i'his cup is the New Tcilaraent in 
xny blood,' ihcy mult mean that which was in the cup, and 
not the vcffel tliat held it ^ .and this is the ordinary iiicra- 
mental dialedt, concerning circunicifion and the paffover*. 
CiicuiDCilion is called 6WV covenant, Gen. xvii. 18. i. e. 
the fign of.it, Alfo the lamb is called the pajj[.%ier^ Exod. 
xii. II. i. e. the fign of it. 'Tis true th-: he<tthev\* V^\^>x- 
Ip the charge of the prinuiive ChnvV\Atv^^ \Xi4X. <xv^^ ^VwN:^:^- 
iDan fidhi but faJftiy, as appears b'j \.\\^ -a^^A^o'^^ vcw-i^'t.^'^ 
//Kpriflj;{ivc. Ciriftians, b>- TciX.\3ftii^ft.^v:^^Q^^'^'^^'> '^ 

•7. o 



f.i ic ol'jcifls us vc h( re converic wi'.lj 5 and bow mi 

furgetiah^cfs of Chriri wor.ldbe to our p;\-jaJice a 

advaiitae^e tznd therefore heapnoints this ordinrnce, t 

CLrift, Ilia dcitii ard love to our believinir. affe6lionf 

tliai-Kful rcmcn brnncc. 2. * 'I'o iKtw forth his deatl 

l'^ dit!art, publilh and j;iOck:im it. It js rot barely 

jr.frribu3r.ee cf C'hri if, of whaf he halh done and T 

bul alfo to cti;. Urate, jullillj, and procldim his gracic 

i:c!ctiilicr., his love r.nd f.ivour to loft fiiiiiers. VVc 

Li^ dt'.ih to be our life, and the fpriug of all our c< 

jind hcp'j. We K^^^y i" ^^''s atuiitmtr.t and lacrif 

l^.rct.;i ii b<.f;rc God as cur only lanfum. We ftit ii 

view of 01 r faith for our qalckenirig and comfort. V 

it bcfors the world; 'cs the only ground tf our hop 

that \%c Ere the difciplfs of a crucified Corift, who 

Liir» aiOue tor falvation and acctptancfi with God, 

7 We have a muiidate or charge given for liie c 

tiou of this ordinance, and for aoi'ii^-; it fiequenlly. 

Lord's ccmR:iand is twice -rtpeated for Lcurity * ti 

• this do ye.' It was our Lord's vsill that we fhouiJ cc 

the memorial of his detitli and paHion. It is the 

our Sovereign Lord and lawgiver, the exprcfs comii 
-. o ..: ... - ^c ^ ,»,.;^.. c^..: a i ^j 



APPENDIX. 28j 

Churches celebrated this ordinance every Lord's day. Let 
us be thankful that we have this fpiritml meal more fre- 
quently tendered to us than fuimcily. U for Ih^rpened ap« 
pciites for oar /ood ! 

8. We have the perpetuity of the ordinance. It is to be 
celebrated * till the Lord come' the fccond time, - without 
iin,*for the falvation of them that believe, and to judge tho 
world. — Obferve I. That the Lord's fupper is not a tempo- 
rary, but a Handing ai^d perpetual ordinance. 2. That there 19 
no need of facraments in heaven, for Chriil is there bodily 
prefent. Faith is then changed into viQon, and hope into frai* 
lion. Here we bold comnaunion with him by figns and fymbo^t 
but above we will fee hira as he is, and enjoy him perfeiftly. 
The day will then break, and all the ihadows will flee away. 

Verfe 27. ' Wherefore, whofoevcr ftiall cat this bread, 

* and drink this cup of the Lord unworthily, ihali be guilty 

* of the body and blood ot the Lord.' 

28. ' But let a man examine himfelf, and fo let him eat 
of that bread, and drink of that cup. 

29. * For he that eatcth and drinketh unworthily, catetli 
'and drinketh dao»iiation to himfelf, not difcerning the 

* Lord's body.* 

The apoitlehaving declared the orlginiliiiftitution of the 
Lord's fupper, he comes now to inllruft the Corinthians in 
the right ui'e of it, and to beware of .profaning aad abuiing 
this ordinance as they had done. 

Obferve i. The fin which he warns them of, w«. * Eat- 
ing and drinking unworthily.' ^aeft. What is this i Anfiu. 
li is not a weak fuith, cr wcakntis in knowledge^ or want 
ot piiicfl holiaef?, or freedom from fin, that will denomi- 
nate a perfon an unworthy receiver ; for this ordiuaocfr 
>vas not iiillituted for angels, but fjr men, who arc imper- 
fect and finfal : But it is to come ignorant, without due 
pitparatiun, without iaith, without repentance, felf-cxami- 
iiation, wi.hcut rtfoluiion againltlin, and without reconci- 
liation to God, or to our neighbour. 

Ublcivc i. i h-- gaiit anJ hcino^fiitfa of this fin : They 
arc * guilty of the bjtiy and biood of the Ljid,' i. e. It is 
an acctlFiuii 10 t.ie guiit of ihcdding che' innocent blood of 
our Lord and ::aviour Jt-fus Cnrilt. It is an implicit ap- 
jn'ut»ation of the Jews' ad i.i cruelly vcvg^ C\\\*\^. Vx'v^"** 

Cariit riticih, aid haruounu-j v\ii U4v\.oi«» ^\\V ^^^.^^^"^ 
Ciintt in our boioja. 




Obrcrve^.Thedangerof it, 'canng and drinking dam 

tioji to cur!clvc«,* i, e. Tbey provukc God to inflctt f 

' jtjds?ments on thcna, teTnporal and fpi ritual jadgmewtiii^ 

at)d furnal jucigmtnts hereafter* Tin? meaning is not, t 

this fin, I* tjrpardoujibk, but that it -di^feVirts dam nation, a 

will brinf it on without Tcptntancc, and flying to thebU 

ii of Chrill for ckanfing. Every fm U ia its own tiatl 

5 dnmmtig, r^nd ihcreforc fuch a heinoua fiti, as profaai 

' this boly ordinarce^, mLift furclvr be To, Bat timorous a 

fearful believers Should fiot be difcouragtd from attendi 

this hdy ordinjitice by the found of this word, as if th 

bound upon tbemfeJves the femcnce of damnation^ 

coming to the Lord's table unprepared* l*or hear! 

tind ^traying unworthily iijcurs dann^tion, as well as co« 

^ >j uni eating unwonhilyp Bui ihi* fjn, as wcH as otht 

iesives room for forgivenefs Upon repentance, i 

Obferve 4. Th.il uniworthy reccivrtis of tlje Lord's ft 

ycr do contra tt great gijilt, and incur great danger to ihe 

ielvcs* Ar;d then fore they fhould be much concerned 

guard agabft thia heinous and daiigerous fin, and cry ¥»j 

the Pfalmift, * JLord deliver us from blood guiltinefs.* 

^ Obferve 5. It ir only -judgment to hinafclf, it is not 

cnotbcr that receives with him. For if a wickfl<d ms 

pteftnct at the facramrnt (hoold prillutc the ordinance re 

vPOtthy ]iecelv<fr; then Cbrift and Ms eleven apoftle* w« 

defiled by the company of Judas tt the paflbver,-at;whi 

he certainly w««| afid us many tbink, at the Ldrd^s fupp 

alfcK' Which is abfurd. 

We have id verfc 26th, the duty required forpfeventii 

the fini^nd danger of Unworthy commtnicating, and tl 

is the great and neccflary iftity of felfexaminatiiwi. It is 

"metaphor taken from goldftuiths, who try tie truth of rhi 

gold by the touchllone, the purity of their gold by t 

fire, and tb: weight of it by the fcale. We have here, 

The perfon e>naiining, * let a man exanr^ine.^ 3. llic pc 

fon examined, it is himfelf j he is to call hiiufclt to the b 

of.confci«nce, and put queltions to himfelf. i, CQncernii 

his (late whether hp has a right' to come or not. 2. h 

iins and (hen conriings. 3. His wants and necefTities. 4. hi 

ends and dcfigns j whether it be to obey the charge of I: 

djing 6'aviour, to ihew Corvh \i\s d<i^vV\, ttw«i>K •a.tv^v^-^K V 

covenant with Grodytet nearT\^Vs^udcoxvvv\\u'cv\<ixxsNvCtt.\i 

lourilhment to his Ibul, w^tf^/^^ xoYja^ w^tix*. Ktw 



«8, 

knovvledge, faith, repentance, fear, love, thankfulnefs, holjr, 
■defires, aod new obedience. / 

Obferve i. It is not enotigh that a minifter examine us, 
before partaking. We muft examine ourfelves, for we only 
can try our own hearts and thoughts, which a minider cannot. 

Obferve 2. Our main concern before partaking is about 
ourfelves. It is not about examining others, but about ex* 
-amining ourfelves that ue are to be employed. It is not 
^bat he or (he is that is to communicate with us> but what 
1 am myfclf. 

Obferve 3. It fliould therefore be our (ingular care be- 
fore communicating, to examine ourfelves, and commune 
with our own hearts, as to our right to and fitnefs for the 
Lord's table. 

We have in verfe 29th, the true caufe of unworthy com- 
municating, * not difcerning the Lord's body :' i. e. not 
making a diilindtion between this bread and common bread; 
betwixt the Lord's body and the body of a mere man ; not 
prizing nor efteeming the body of a crucified Jefus as the 
meritorious ground of our juiU^cation. 

Verfe 30. * For this caufe many are weak and fickly a- 
xnong you, and many flecp.' 

Some were punift^ed with (icknefs and weakiiefs, and 
fone with death, lor their irreverence in approaching to the 
Lord*s table. 

Obferve i. That careltfs and irreverent partaking brings 
00 tem^joral judgments, as well as fpiritual and eternal. 

Obferve 2. That God may puniQi liis own pe0i)le with 
temporal judgments j f.»r feverals of thcfe fo puniihtd were 
in a (late of favour \vi;h Go }, as appears fix>m the word 
Jleep, the death of the wicked being hardly called (levrp in 
any pl^^ce cf Script urii ; and from vtrle 32. they were 
* chaftentd ot ihe Lord,' that they might • aot be con- 
denineu with the \Norld.' Now, divine chailening is a liga 
of div;ne love. 

Oblcrve 3. Tlrat the holinefs of an ordinance, or the 
habiiual holinefs ot a pirlbii, will not exempt him from .God's 
difplcafuie :.nu the iiilliciion of teiriporal Juciguirnts here ia 
this life, it he cJ./cs not by actual prcp.iraiion larnftiry the 
nan t Oi Gi-a ii; iLt uuiy and orclinauces of his worlhip. 

Obllrve 4. 1 hai G»jU puniliics his peopic now to pre- 
vent tntir eternal v\ot. 

Writ: J J. • lor it we W0UU\ juC^^i Q>wlfe\nts^^t ^vs^^ 
not Z?c judged.' 



Jm4^ APPENDIX- 

4f W4-wouM ex^minej try, cenfure, and fcntence our- 
fHvctf snd fo come to the Lord^s tablci we would efcape 
» the caftii^^torjf piitiiihment, and condemnatory l^ocrEicc cf 
God* Obfcrvc I. That a$ it b our duty often to examine 
and judge ourfelvcsi To f elf judging will preferve us frt>ia 
th^ c Olid cm nation eod jadgment of God, 2* Thai thofe 
~ ^ba througH weftkciefs of underftatiding arc not capable 
to eximiire themfdvef, are bj lio means £t ta partake of 

^ Vcrfc j^ * |Sat nbeii we are jud^d« we mte cfaaften^ 
-^'tiftlte Lfirdi that iwe dnnikl out be coofteatftcdl wilfc iki; 

TlifctiatuTe of thefejiidp^nients, or fiSi£ti ve evih, wbkli da 
fce&l thjC children of God ia this life,^ they ^re cbafltning^ 

* we ire chftftened of the X-ord-* To be ch&itefied has a 
^f^bfe ifpe£fc. ifA upon out pririlf ge, it de notet our rck- 
don, « chiyren iQ G«i oar Father. Chafteaings are 1 

rrt of Uicbildren'f pariion; yet in that wearechalUned^ 
taxes tfiWitb vreaknefi j we itre hoMi aod uoruty, and 
therefore fo long as we are bere, nauftfllways g^ftitharod 
at our bBck, Chrift, who was alfo a fon, wat cbaOeoed i 

* The .challifemeHC of our peace was upon hiai;^buc hii 
were judiciary chailifeoDci^ts, not as a child, but as an ene- 
my, a malefactor, in oiir (lead. Obferve, The ffiereiful de- 
fign of God in chailcning his children, is to prevent their 
condemnation. When therefore at any time we are under 
chaUifement, let us jullify God, and condemn oarfeIv«S| 
feeing his chaiiifements are defigned to prevent our con- 
demnation. 

Verfes 31, 34, * Wherefore, my brethren,, when ye 

* come together to eat, tarry one for another. And if any 

* man hanger, let him eat at home, that ye q^pae not to- 

* gethet uhto condcmnalion. And the reft will 1 let in 

* order when I come.' 

The apoiile doles all with a caution, to beware of the 
irregularKies they had bcea guilty of, and to redify them, 
that they come not together to condemnation. Ubferve 
1. That out holy duties, through our own abufe» may prove 
matter of condemnation.^ Chriftians may keep fabbaths, 
hear fermons, perform prayers, attend facraments, and only 
aggravate th^ir guilt, and bring on a heavier doom on 
themMvts, Oblcrve 2. "WeWs^ %xt^\» tv^^^ y^ C<t^ that 
wc come to God ia dae otdet\ 

I . ■ . 



^ ■ ■ . ■ ' ' 

APPENDIX. 2S5 

Laftly, he tells tliem, that as to' the other points of 
. church-order, he would determine them, when he came a- 
moDg them : * The reft will 1 fet in order when I come.' 
Such unchriUian diforders may arife in the Church, as will 
require the prefence and comiQg; of an apoftle to correct and 
reform them. ^ 



.A PREPARATION SERMON 

Before the Sacrament. 

Joshua ill. 5. — San&ify your/elves , for to morrow the Lord 
wUl do wonders among you, 

IN this chapter we have the hiftory of Ifrael's paffing 
through Jordan to Canaan 5 and a very memorable hif- 
tory it is, for long after -they are bid to remember' what 
God did for theui between Shittim and Gilgal, Micah vj. 
5. ' that they may know the righteoufnefs of the Lord.' 
Shittim was the place where they decamped, and Gilgal 
where they next pitched. See Jofhua iii. 1. compared 
with Joihua iv. 19. He ortiers them to march up to the 
river- fide, where they came and lodged, though they were 
unprovided of means to pafs it in the ordinary way. Tho' 
they had neither boats nor bridges, yet they go forward 
in faith, trufting God's power and promife. Ic was told 
them, JoQiua i. 11, that they (hould pafs it. We muft 
go on in the way of our duty, though we forefce difficul- 
ties, trufting Gjd to help us througti them when we come 
to them. The people aredirefted to follow the A.rk, v. 3. 
when borne by the Prielis and Lcvitcs, to teach us clofeiy 
to attend ordinances, if v/e would have the marks of God'a 
favour and fpecial prefence. 

In the text we have two things, i. A command. 2. Rca- 
fons given for it. 

As to the firlt, * Sanftify yourfelves.' Tnc viOi^fanBi" 
fy has divers acceptations in fcripture. bomitimes 11 is ap- 
plied to God, we are commanded to * fandiify the Lord' 
i. e. to think and fpeak reverently of him, or huinbiy to 
worlhip him. At other times wc are commanded to ' iaoc* 
tify ourfelves,' and then it imports feveral things : I. Our 
leparating or fetting ourfclves apart to fome holy ule, 2. 
Our cleanfing ourfelves from all cttCKv^^vA >^Vi^viX\^^. -^v^^ 
Our preparing ourfclves for fom^ loUis\\x ^x V%5;\?.^ ^"-^^^^ -\- 



-86 APPENDIX. 

by the ufe of fomc facrcd rites, or ceremonies, fuch a« le- 
p2\ walhing, 6:c. 4. Our putting ourfelves in a fuitable 
frr.mc for jittcnding on God's worlhip. 5. Our purifying 
ovirftlvcs inwardly from fin, and adorning ourfelves with 
holincf?. I might cite Scripture for all the fignificatiooi 
i;f llie vrord, as F.xod. xix. 22. Jofh. vii. 15. I Chron. xv. 
12. 2 Chron, V. II. xKix.. 5. xxx. 3. &.c. I fliall take it 
here as comprehending fomcthing of all thefe fenfes, efpc- 
citilly the people's preparing themfelves to attend the ark, 
and the difcovering of God's power, glory, and goodnefs, 
with a fuitable forrow and awful frame of fpirit, befittiiig 
fuch a great occafion. 

II. We have the reafons for it, * For tcmorrow the 

* Lord will do wonders among you.' See how magnifi- 
cently he fpeaks of God's works, he calls them wondets^ 
and indeed thefe were fo, the dividing of the waters of 
Jordan, and making them to Hand upon a heap, and then 
to Tun back, turning fluids into folids, and caufing the if* 
raelites to walk through the rapid river upon fold dry 
ground. All thefe wtie great wondets of God's power 
and goodnefs towards Ifrael', Now, fays Jolhua, fince God 
is about to give you fuch uncommon inftances of his power 
and favour, * far.£tify yourfelvcs,' compofe your minds by 
jBieciitation, prayer, and abilradcdnefs from the world, that 
ye may be in cafe for a careful and religious obfervation of 
his wonderful works, and to receive the dilcovery of his 
glory, and tie communications of his goodnefs, that fj ye 
may give God all ihe glory, and take to .yourfelves the 
comfort of his wondrous works and gracious appearances. 

Dodlrine. When God is about to make wonderful dlf- 
coverits of his glory and goodnefs to his people, then tlicy 
fliould make folcmn preparation for oblcrvmg and recei- 
ving of the fame For cunHrmalion whereof, ice Exod. xix. 
10, II. ' And the Lord faid unto Mofes, Go unto the peo- 
pie, and fan6tify them to-day and to-morrow, and let them 

* wafti their clothes ; and be ready againit the third day j 

* for the third day the Lord will come down in the fight 

* of all the people, upon Mount oinai.' Or, idiy, Wncn 
God lets tryll with a people, they lliould prepare tbcai- 
ieives to altc. d him, i Sam. xvi. 4, ^. « And Samuel did 
thai which the Lord fyake, and came to Bethlehem -, and 

the ciccrs of the town iremjved ax. V\% c*a\\C\Yv^, ■a.vA vj.U^ 
coaicil tiiou peaceably ? AudVittd\d, ^'tev.c.^.dXiVj \ V^ssv 



APPENDIX. 287' 

*xomc to facrifice unto the Lord : Sanftify yourfclves, and 
* come with toe to the facrificc* 

Method I. When it is that the Lord makes fuch won- 
derful difcoveries of himrelf to his people. 

IL Wherein thcp reparation for waiting on this wonder- 
working God doth lie. 

JIL The properties of this preparation. 

IV. The neceOity of it. 

V. And laftly, 1 (hall make application. 

1. As to the firft head, When it is that the Lord makes - 
glorious and ponderous difcoveries of himfelf to a people. 
I- When, notwiihilanding of grievous fins and provocations. 
he averts threatening and impending judgments, and comes 
to them in a way of mercy ; as when he threatens farainB 
and fcarciy, he fends fruitful fcafons and pVenty of bread ; 
when he threatens the noifome peililence, he removes it and 
fends health ^ when he threatens a bloody fword, be ihe^tbs 
it up, and fends peace and fafety. 

2. When he is pleafed to quell the Church's enemies and 
perfecutors> to deliver his people from their bppreflions, and 
give them the freedom of their aflemblies, and of obfermg , 
GodV inflitutions in purity< 

3. When he pours out a fpirit of reformation on all ranks 
and degrees, fothat people generally turn to the Lord, prize 
ordinances, prayer, family. worihip, and appear againft vice. 

4. When God pours out his Spirit on the alemblics of 
ills people, fo that the preaching of the gofpel is attended 
with life, power, and fuccefsy to the melting of hearts, and 
converting of fouls. 

5. When he difcovers a Redeemer to a loft iinkiog feul ; 
when a poor felf-condemned .finner, that was at his wit's 
end, gets a fight of the polTihility of falvation through the 
fatisfa6lion of Chrift. 

6. When he fets forth Chrift crucified before our eyes ia 
the facrament \ when he difplays therein the wifdom, juflice, 
love, and goodnefs of God to finners in a mod lively manner. 

7. When he returns and makes his people's iky break af- 
ter a long night of defertion \ when be makes light to arife 
and Qiine to them that were in da^knefs, and opens the 
door of his prefence-chamber. 

8. When he gives them the viftot^ ti^«t ^"iXas^^ xiwsccs^sfc.- 
oDsand aSkuks, after long tuffw\tig|i.wA vw^^^^^xW^^W^"^ 

Aa 2 



12S» APPENDIX. 

to them as to Paul, 2 Cor. xii. 9. * My grace is fufficieot 

* for thee ; for my ftrength is made pcrfeA ia weaknefs.* ^ 

9. When be meets with them in ordinances, loofes their 
bonds, frees them from ilraitenings in duty, and enlarges 
t\kei^ hearts in prayer, and enables them to pour forth their 
koipj^laints nnd requeds before the Lord. 

10^ When he comes with a return to their prayers; par- 
ticularly I J. By lifting on them the light of his countenance; 
or, 2. 'By giving them a view of their covenant-relation to 
God ; a well-grounded hope of heaven ; and new llrength 
to grapple with (in, perform duties, and bear trials. 

11. When he comes and gives a glorious difcovery of his 
grealnefs and nnajefiy, fo as to fill them with awful fear and 
reverence ^f*God, and makes them cry, * Lord, what is man, 

* that thbd.art mindful of him ?' O the unfpcakable diflancc 
that is between God and us L Gcd is gloriL>u5, and the crea- 
ture is potiiing. 

12. When he comes and gives the foul a glorious difco- 
very cf the holinefs and purity of God, in his nature, his 
law and his works, as he did to Job, making him cry, 

* Behold I am vile j' and to Ifaiah, * Woe is me, for I am 

* undone, bccaufe 1 am a man of unclean lips.' 

13. When he gives a glorious dilcovery of the goodncfs 
ard mercy of God, particularly in thefe inflances, i\ 1 he 
gloriijus contrivance of our redemption, by fending Chriil 
to fave us. 2. In pardoniiig guilty finncrs fo many crimes, 
and making them cry, as Micah vii. 18. * Who is a God 

* like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and paffcth by the 

* trviufjTreflion of the remnant of his heritage ? he retaineth 

* not his anger for ever, becaufe he delii^htcth in mercv.' 
3. In taking rebellious traitors and enemies to God, to be 
children of Gcd, and favourites of heaven. 4. In cx.ilti.'g 
tlieni abi>ve :-i.i;tis that never ijnncd, arc! ;>;"0viiijiig gljiijiis 
xuaiifions for t;ie»r!. 

14. W.e[i he cojTies ii i-'e or^lin.incos, and q'.iickens tV.e 
(ieaci aid lfir!;;uiriir.-.g oraccs ot his pct^pie ; us. i. \Vi;cn i^e 
mchs tlitir )ii;rd heiits in"o tlif extrciic cf rcpi-rnt^ir.cc ii'ui 
icournii ;; for ii). 2. Vvijen he corccs ?.r,d cff-jr.tcs thtii* 
fj;iti-., ei:.>bics tie weak fi. ;ner to go out to Ci)iiii, cait iiis 
loul anil ],.y his burden on him, and \viu>liy to look to hi:!!, 

ijid kan on il/.^l for pavdou ;\v\d Ulv action, c^. When he 

comes ami ninkcs t'.)cir hearts buttv vs\\.\v\Q\\i Xc^\\\\\\lAx,7>\\\ 

to j;recious Chriil the Mtdvator, ^\Vv\c\\c va\Vs vv> \\\^v».\.av\ 



APPENDIX. 2«f 

dfiens up the Scriptures. 4. When he draws out the de- 
fitcs and patitings of the foul towards himfelf. 5. When he 
quickens the fpirit of prayer, and elevates the heart for 
praife, and enables the foul for every duty. 

IL As to the fecood head, wherein this preparation aifJ, 
iandifying of the heart for waiting on God in ordin*nccs 
doth lie. Firft, It fuppof-^s, i. That we are naturally unfit 
and unprepared for approaching to God. 2. It fuppof^s a 
vvork of God's grace and fpirit on the heart j he only fits - 
the foul for fpiritual things. ' It is God that worketii in 

* us both to will and to do of his good pleafure. 'Vat pre- 

* paration of the heart in man, and the anfwer of the tongue. 

* is from the Lord.' Prov. xvi, i. ■ 

Secondly, It diredlly imports thcfe things j i.^llie^fourA 
being in a g>racious (late, tranOated from [raturc to-grace by 
the Spirit of God, and that the foul is reconciled to God by 
the blood of Chrill, and a work of faodificatioa begun ; 
-without this we cannot be accepted. 

2. It lies in bringing our hearts with us, and engaging 

* all the powers and faculties of^our fouls to attend God iu 
duty, Plalm Ixxxvi. 11, * Unite my heart to fearthy name-,' 
' and, Pfalm cxix. 10. * With my whole heart have 1 fought 
*thee.' 

3 If lies in our having right thoughts and uptakings of 
that gracious God whom we apploach to ^ i. That we be- 
lieve that God is, and is a rewarder of them chat diligently 
feek him. 2. That he is incomprehenfibly great and glo- 
rious, fills the heavens and the earth with his prefence, and 
that great fear and reverence is due to him. 3. That he is 
glorious in holinefs, and of purer eyes than that he can be- 
hold iniqnity. 4. That he fpotlefsin juitice, and will by no 
means clear the guilty. 5. That he is omnipotent in power, 
for protefting his people, and dcliroying his enemies. 6. 
That heis matchlefs in clemency and mercy, eafy to be 
intreated, and ready to forgive through Chrilt. 7. That 
he is faithful, and keeps covenant fur ever. 

4. It lies in having humble and low thoughts of our- 
felves, as unworthy to approach to God, or receive any token • 
ciihis favour* Ibe foul that is fandiJ^ed ann prepared for 
approaching to God, hath a deep fenie of former fins and 
nufcarraiges, worfders at God's patieuc^, \)a»X. \Vkft. ttacc^X^aA > 
not opened its mouth to (waiiow Vt. u^ «c. tvvw . 
S,:Jt lies ia cJcaniing and putiiymg ^utWwH^^\^l Sjw«t^ 
A a "3 




ing fcr and tlrTOwmg: out all thofe fin* ^nd evils tliaf ub' 
116 for cQiTVCTfe whb God. [f we would have God to ac- 
cept U5, wc ifiufi regFiitJ no iniquky in our hearts; particu- 
larly^ I* We muft cail out pnde and fclf-conccit. If we 
have [I good opio io a of ourfel ves^ otir d uties an d pc rformancesi 
God will not accept us^ we muft count all bat lafs 3[id^ 
ilungfor Chrift, a. Worldlincf?^ &nd tbouglitf about eanhlf. 
things* 3. Unbftllef and doubting concerning the Irutiii 
of God. 4. Malice and revenge, 5, Vain and wandetiug 
. iht^Lighti, and letk to have our hearts fixed^ PfaJ, Ivi. 
^ 6. It lies in our retirednefa and abllradedncfg from the 
^%orlJ end earthly thcughts. In the teraple, fo? as rnucb f!eflr 
^« was ufed thtre for the facrrfice, not one fljr was ieen lllr-^ 
jing; which teacheth us to drive away the flies of world- 
ly thoughts in Gad^s prefence, that ihey do not fpoil op 
corrupt the facrifice* as that grievous fwarm of ilies ,did e- 
Tery thing in the land of Egypt^^Exod. viii» 54* Do as A- 
hraham, when he went to approach God and do facriffoe on 
IVIounl Mori ah. Gen- Jixii. ^t 5' ^ Whjen he faw the place 

• afar offj he laid to his ytMiXig men, Abide you here with 

* the afs, and I and the lad will go yonder and worf>up.V 
He knew that if they had gpne along, withbim, tjhcy would . 
to diiiadt him with their clamour, that he could not <fitt 
facrifice with that freedom and tranquility of fpirit rcquiiite. i 

7. it lies ill examining (he principles jfrom which yott 1 
a^, and ends to which you-move in duty. . The principlea < 
jnuft be faith and love ; the belief of God^s cQmmaod, .and 
the love of iCbriiiy mull conilrain .your duty. Your ends ' 
nufl be to glorify Gpd and enjoy him^ not as the Pliari- 
fees, to be feen of 9ien ^ not legal ends, to'gjet. a reward* 
Selfifti and legalends are as a dead fly to fpoil the pintmenti . 
and make duties unfayoory to God*. O for. right, princi- 
plesi pure and fpiritual ends ! 

8* It cuniifls in labouring to get the heart in a fuitable 
frame for con vcrfe. with God j. as, i .In a humble and fclf- 
denied frame. 2. In a fpi ritual and heavenly frahie. 3» 
In a fixed and flayed frame, calling in all ilrayingand wan- 
dering thoughts, breathing out that prayer, Pfalm Ixxzvi. 
i;[. 4..In a lovingtandafiedlionate frame ^ fo;r God is love, 
and love is the cem^t between God and the foul in duty. 
J-, lo a cautious and wa^lchm^ fiawNt, ^^Lvirding always a- 
^^iV/levcry thingr that may ctte^ \u^ xo \tv^\V^v^lt. ^^>x\<a 
communion with Goc>; au4 caw t^^ wi^^^ x^ V\m* ^v 



APPENDIX. 29I 

IVi an aflive and lively frame ; all the fpices fliDuld flo^- 
out, all the graces (hould be in cxercjfe. 

9. It lies in awakening our fouls, which are naturally 
dull and drowfy, to aftivity and livclincfs in duty, as Da- 
vid, Plal. Ivii. 8. * Awake up my glory, awake pfaltery 

* and harp: I royfelf will awake early,* Pfal. ciii i. * Blefs 

* the Lord, O my foul, and all that is within me blefs his 
holy name.' Be ilirred dp all that is within nie ; there 
muft be a flirting up our fouls to take hold of God, Ifa. 
Ixiv. 7. Put forth your fpiritual ftrcngth to the utmoll ; 
pray with the mod fervent importunity ; praife with fpi- 
ritual elevation of heart 5 love God with the moft fublimc 
affedtions^ and do all in fome proportion to the greatnefs of 
that God with whom you have to do, as Pfal. cl. 2, * Praife 
him according to his excellent greatnefs.'—— 10. It lies 
in our earnelt prayers to God to fandify us ^ for we mud 
put it back on him, and^ray for the fandifying influences 
of hh fpirit, for the fubduing of fin. quickening grace, and 
perfecting holinefs in the fear ui God. 

III. As to the third head, the properties of this prepa^ 
ration ^ i. It mud be timeous preparation. The Jews took 
time to prepare for approaching God in the padovcr, they 
had the lamb for days before in their houfes, tied to their 
bed pods, that hearing xonftantly its bleating, they might 
look back to Egypt, and remember the forrows and bon- 
dage they endured there, and be thankful for their redemp- 
tion 'y and efpecially for their deliverance from the deilroy- 
ing angel that night he pailed over their houfes, which 
were fprinkled with tl^ blood of the lamb ^ and that they 
might look forward to the McQiah, and remember the bit- 
ter agonies and fuffrings he was to endure for their fins* 
2. Inward preparation, it mult lie mainly in the 
heart ; a gr.ive decent carriage is needful indeed, but God 
looks to more than the outward appearauce, even to the 

heart. 3. Confcientious preparation, doing all. as in the 

fight of God, before whom all things are naked and bare. 
Study to have fingle ends and aims, to glorify God, and 
obey our Lord and Saviour^s call. » 4. Diligent prepa- 
ration, not dealing with a flack hand, but applying your 
fouls with the gteatctt adivity to the work in Hand, be- 
lieving that your falvation depends ou Uv— ^* Visx«isi\sb> 
and /tfi/-denjcd preparation, wulXitv^ W tkQ\\i\'^'^\^ -^^>ix 
fcJres, but ia Chtili j depending otv O^^ \>a»\\w^ -^^^^ 



''. and prepare yaur heflrts^ and accept grftclnufly fof CltHil'i 

f«V.e.— 6, Universal prepamtiyn j be miudfiil of all ibr 

-. parts of it, cfpecfallx of cxatnining yourfclvcs with rcfpcS 

• to yoai* ftate, your iins, your wfints, your bnotirlcdgc, faith, 

Teptntancc, love, and new obtdience- 

IV* Aa to rtic fourtb ht;ad, the nccelTily c»fthis prepaa< 

.. tion i I, fiecaufc ijf the fairencfs, Hoggifhiicfs, and dettit- 

fulpcfi of our ht^arts j they love to wandcir from God, and 

■: are beot to b.4ckllide in duty, as the wife man fays, Eeckf* 

• V x» 1^* ' If the sron be blunt, and be do not whetthccdge, 

then muH he put to o'.ore f!rength/ Labour to heat the 

iron, feeing a blum iroo, if hot, wilt pierce mote eafily 

. '■ than a Iharptr, if cold* Warai your hearts v^ith the love 

and fufierings of Chriit.— ^— *"2- Becaufe it is the heart God 

oiaioly fecks in doty, Pfov. atxiii. 26. * My foo give me 

J.' I thine he-jrt;' he fays a5 Jofeph, concttning Benjamin^ *ex- 

y \ cept yuuc brother be withvyou, 4 ^'^^ ^^^ ^^^ yo^t face.' 

'/! If t&G heart be not broug^ht to him^ there can be no afecep- 

■ , tacce.*-^^-^* Bccaufe God is well pleafcd with tbeoj that 

-f':^ do fo, as with J^hofaphat, a Cbron* Kta, 3* * Ncverthelefi 

* there are good things found in thee, that thou hall taken 

* away the groves out of the land, and baft prepared thiae 
' heart to leejw Ggd>' And he is highly difpl«afed wttk 
thole that do It Qot^ is with Rehoboaio^ 2 Cbron. xiu 14. 

* And he did evil, becaule he prepared not bis heart to 

* feck God*'' — « — 4* Becanfe Gud, whom we. approach to, ii 
en infiattely holy audpnrc fpirit, and will be WQrihLpp^dia 
fpirit and iti truth. 

IMPROVEMENT* 
Infcre^ice L See hence the caufe why fo few get difco* 
Tcries of God^a g^oi^y? sod wonders of mercyj in the ordi^ 
nance^ but mtei with a htdioj^ God, .th«)r do noi £ifi^t/j 
them£elves, and <prepare their hearts in ^a fuitabk maoaer. J 
IL.Ufe'of reproof to fcvetaU: i-.To tbofe- who ap« [ 
proach God under the power of wandering, und roving . I 
thoughts, their minds are not fixed, fandtified, and prepay* .< 
«d. 2 To thofie whofe minds are going ^fter cheir covet- 
oulnefs, when their bodies only are prefented before Qod. . 
^ 3. To thofe who are bypooritical and formal in their ap- 
proaches to God. 4. To tbofe. whofe hearis are duliaad . 
4iro w{y in Xrod 'fl fe r v ice • 
fi i/A UCc of trial. It concerns "jo^Ni^ou \\n& Qte«a&5«k\s> 



APPENDIX. 293 

^ proachiog God to-morrow. It is highly necefTary now to 
examine your fouls, Met a man examine himfelf, and fo 

' * let him eat.' I fear there are many unfanftiBed and un- 
prepared hearts among us. And in order to affift you 
therei^n, I (hall give fome. marks, both negatively ani po- 

' fitively.— I. Negatively, marks of unfanaified hearts, i. 
The ignorant heart that knows not Chrift, nor has any up- 
taking of ihe way of falvation through his righteoufnefs. 
Such ar<^ unprepared^ and incapable of gracious commu- 
nion with God. See how the promife runs, Jer. xxiv. 7. * I 

* will give them an heart to know me, that I am the Lord, 

* and ihcy ftiall be my people, and I will be their God ; 

* for they.Qiall return unto me with their whole heart. 2« 
The unbelieving heart is unprepared. 3. The impenitent 
heart. 4. The heart -ihat harbours Chrill's enemy. 5. The 
heart that hath no love to Chriil» 6. No love to the friends 
of Chrid., 7. No hungering and thiriling after Chrifl and 
^is ri|;hteouinefs. Si That hath (light thoughts of his ordir 
nances. 9. Igciiiftrence about the fuccefs of the ordinances. 
lo. That refills the motions of the Spirit, ij. The heart that 
isdrowfy, and at no pains to waken itfelf. i3h Thatis a Gran- 
ger to itfelf, and to felf-examination. Such hearts are un- 
fandifitd and unprepared for approaching to God to-morrow. 

2. Pofitive marks of hearts in fome mcal^ire fandified 
and prepared. i« Hearts feniible of their depravity and 
finfulncfs. 2. That are feniible of their nted of Chrill* 
3. Hearts filled with revenge.againft fin. 4. Tnat ?re hum- 
ble and lowly. 5. PIcarts troubled for heart plagues and 
fins. 6. Hearts that confent to the well craercd covenant 
in all its articles. 7. Hearts that aim at commauiju and 
fcllowlliip with God in every duty. 8. Hearts that hold 
on in clofe purfuit after Chriit^ notwiihitanding difcourage- 
ments and difappointments, as Mary Mdgdakne, who 
would not leave the fcpulchrc, when others left it. 9. 
Hearts that are unfatisfitd with the beil means and orui- 
nances, if God be not found in them. 10. Hi:arts that aro 
applying themfelves to every duty, in Cnriil'd Itrcngth, fay- 
ing, without Chrift 1 can do nothing. 11. Hearts that are 
troubled when they drive heavily in duty, and are weary 
of their rcmiffnefij. 12. Hearts tender of the peace of God, 
afraid ut fin, and grieving the Spirit, i^, Hearts concern- 
cd about the iuccefs of this orduvaucc, >avi\\v nnvOcv. ^^^^'ti^v* 
Itbemi'dvcs and others. 14. kieaUs co\\c«xi'£5\ S^^ ^^"^ "^ 



fufficlrrit prepare ttott, priytng with Hcx^kiabf for pardoi 

Snd acctprantr^ thou^jh nor clean fed according to the |>uni 

£caMrin of tbr fan^nary, 2 CbTr>n» X%X. l8 19^ 

I IV. Utt of exhortation* '^ con rnuritcants, fafi^ify fWi^ 

> fcfvei ag?iipftto-mon-<>w, rliat the Lord may cotnc down aiid 

, do wonders aroijnij youn wondtfs of mercy for tout fouli. 

I^oTive 1, Con fivicr tbst tht near approach yoa are t^ 

iDakc to God at hh table to-rriorrovr* is the neareit app-'oacli 

you can poOibJy m^kc on this fide of death* Confider what 

preparation God required of the I fra elites for receiving tht 

fiery lav^ at Mount ^'^ioat, Esod. xiK. 10. II. ' God com* 

* msinded ihtm to faottii^ thcmftlves, wafti their clothes, 
' and be reydy a^ainft the thkd day, for upon that day ibu 

* £.ord would come dov?n upon Mount Sinai, in figV-t of 
^ * all I he people.' What awful fc^r and irembHng do yoa 
\ imagine was there among thettii when God came down io 
I n thick ch/ud, when the trumptt begnn to f^und^ the vhaii- 

der to crack> the mountain to fmoke, und the earth to 
tremble under the weight of the great Qod defcending oa 
Lg lu Well, ye fhould be under the fame awe of Gc^d in 
^^ ^his folemn ordinance as they were^ It is true^ he comes 
■ Dot down wth r^ch leiror, to r've a fiery lav; as on Mouot 
Stnai, but to deliver the gofpel of pesce from Mount Stoa, 
But mindj it is the facne God that fpe^ks, hath the fiime 
lufljefty, the fame authority ; and therefore you fhould pre* 
pare a$ cartfully, and be as hurnhle before hinOj as the If. 
raelite* v^ere* Wtrc God to com^ down nmong you to. 
' morrow in terrible majefty, Ihould a thick cloud fill this 
houfe, and Itgirtntng break out, and fliould you lieac tii« - 
thunder of his voice, ^ I am the Lord, thou fiirft baiFe no 
, ^ other gpds before me,' certainly fuch « dreadful' glory 
ipvQuld make your hearts tremble wHhin you, aod the earth < 
tremble beneath you. Well then, God is come dowo as 
really among you as among the Ifraelttes, hear him with 
the fame reverence, and be as intent upon adoration as - 
they were. *Let not his gracious and familiar way of con- 
delcending to deal with you, tempt you to come with lefd 
preparation and revere'uce.F-^— -II. Cpniider the naCure of 
that God you are to approach to. i. A gr:eat and mighty 
<3rod, Pfal. Ixxxlx. 7, 8. * God is greatly to be feared in 
^-the affembly of the [aiuts, aivd lo i\t had ia reverence o£ 
^ ^ them that are about him. Ol*«^v^a^ tiS.'^^^^^^iwk 
J* i> a. Aroiig Lord , like unW t\ket, •« vo x^i li>siBi>;iiM& 



jnd about thee V Would we feaft with a g;rcat King 
I filthy hands and gutmcnts ! Jofeph prepared himfelf, 
havinpf himfelf and changing his raiment, before he 
t into Pharaoh J and wilt thou not prepare thyfclf, by 
ing thy foul In the holier drefs and humblefl pofture, 
n thou art to go to the King of heaven and earth ? 2. 
is a jealous and omnifcient God, moft jealous of his 
)ur, and will coipe in to fee the gueiis. Marth. xxii* 
and then he will fpy every unprepared and unfan6tified 
ft ; he notices tbc date of your fouls, the fraoie of your 
ts, the ends of your comcnunicating, and your prepara* 
before hand.' O then fanftify yourfelves, before you 
e to the feaih 5. He is a pure and holy God ; he can- 
hold cotntn union with uiTholy perfons, he will be fane- 
d in them that come nigh him, Lev. x. 3. he will be 
nded as a holy God, in a holy manner. Did a holy an« 
fet tryft with you at a certain place, againft fuch an 
r, would you not prepare with all ferioufnefs and fo- 
nity to attend him ? Oh ! but it is the God of angels 
: tryds with you here, even the God before whom the 
els adore^ and cover their faces and feet with their 
igs, and cry, * Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.* 
he linen on the coAimunion table, or vefTeU that hold 
elemtiTits were foul, ye would exclaim againft it ; and 00 
bt decettcy in this refpe^l ought to be obferved: Chrift 
aid have the very room in good order where he was to 
the paflbver. But O it is a fmall crime to have a foul 
:h or veffel for outward elements, in refped of what ft 

have a fool heart, or an unprepated foul to entertain 
oly God, and receive the body and blood of Chrift. 
—3. ConGderthat God's people ufcd always great prepa* 
ion before folemn approaching to God, Gen. xxxv. i— 

Where we fee how folemnly Jacob prepared, himfelf 

1 his family, when by God's command he was going up 
Bethcl» to facrifice unto the Lord. * They change 
leir garments, wa(h and make themfelves clean, and put 
ay ihtir Itrange gods.' How muco more ought we to 
iparc, when we go not only to bethel, God's honjfe, but 
God's table, by changing our, garments of tin, and put* 
g on Chrili's righteoulncfs by taiih, and putting away 
1 mortifying our lulls ai.d idols of jcaloutly ? We lee alfa 
: Pfiilm ill's preparation tor a^^xo2^cXi\^^\.v^ Ck^^x'^Na^? 
•i, 6, * 1 iriJi walli my haadsva mwoccwc^ ^'^ ^^ "^ ^"^ 



* pafjj thbf iltar, O Lord,^ The J^ews had gteat preptH- 

ti^n /of the paHovtr, and fo fi.ould we fur ihe Lord's fup- 

» per thiit is come in Ies raom. Wberefore we find the pu* 

rahive Chriftians ufed to fit up whole nights af prayer be^ 

fore the Lord*s fupperj which they called t^igiiitr. 4, 

Confidcr that the matter of this facrament requires Joleffiii 
preparatiun* ^doit^on dire^s us^ when we are to e^t vrirb 
a ruler, (o conlider what h fet before u^i Prov, xxiii* i*^— 
There are here the fy mhols of Chdfl's hody and Hood, x%ii 
food ! It fs a great fin to abufe common to eat and drinfc, of 

»\o partake of tbefe withciiit fome fenous thought beforehand* 
Wc would have vcEeh clean to hold our ordinary foodj 
h^t here is foul food, hesifrenV dsintkef the jewel of hea- 
ven, ChrLft's body in the facrament mnft be wrapt in* 
clean foul, as well as his body by Jofeph of Arioiithea, iiiii 
wrapt in clean linen, and laid in a new (qmb,^— 5. fh 
duties to be perfornicd at the Lord's table require prcpafa^ 
tion, vi%* Covenanting with Gcd, renewing our baptifmal 
vow, cxpreflvng our Itfve to Chrift, feaflirig^ on a brckefl 

PChnfl.— — 6. You 3Te naturally unfit for this ordinance j 
tiaturally you have neither habitual nor afiual preparatioa 
being: dejid in fins and trefpafTcs, leprous, lothfome, cariiaii 
and earthly minded. Wherefore w« muft be quickened and 
puriiied, before we can hold communion with a holy God. 
7. Beqaufe coinmufiion with God would be altogether 
difagrccablc to an unfanflified foul, he would weary of it^ 
and take no pleafure in it.— *-^8. Becaufe of the great ad^ 
vantage of this preparation, God will come Lo-mo^row, and 
work wonders of mtrcy for fucb as fincerely aim at prepa- 
ration, O then fandify y our fe Ives- ^t^^Ji* \Vhat.are ihete 
vfinders of mercy ? Anf^, i. He will raile dead foois out 
mA 'of th? gcdve, and piit life in ihcm. z. He will warm cold 
haarts, ^nd put, fpiritual heat ;n them. 3« He wiU fofua 
hard rocky hearts, and make them tendcfr and fetifible. 4. 
He will cleave the rock and make waters gufli out of it,' the 
vraters of penitential tears.' 5. He will cure the paralytic 
trembling hand, that could hardly be Aretched out,'or grip 
, ^ any thing. He will enable the weak foul to grip fait to 
Cbrilt, and fubfcribe his name to the' marraige contract. 6. 
He will. lUengtben the feeble knees and lame feet, and- 
make the ibul to run on in the way of his commandments 
fr/ti frtiai^cd bearU 7* Vie W\\\Va\\ &^ou^ Cj^VUki** and 
luRs^ that defied the atmiw p£ x\x^ Oo^ ol VSxwX, '^•^'^ ^^ 



A P P EN D I X. 297 

iX a wandering heart, and fix it on God and things on a- 
ipve. 9. He will heal a wounded confcience by the balm 
»f Giiead. 10. He will brighten a d^Mrk cloudy mind, and 
efolve all the doubts and fears of a believer. 1 1. He will 
;ive a fight of the King in his beauty, a view of the fcnjles 
»f Chrift^ lovely face, x 2. He will give a feal of -the pardon 
jf all youf fins. 13. He will give a Pifgah view of Canaan, a 
ight of the promifed land. 14 He will fea(i the hungry, 
md fill them with the dainties of heaven.— O thefe are rare 
nronders of grace, that Chrift will work for the prepared 
!bul. O preparation is your feed time, recteving is your 
larveft. Now, as a man foweth, fo (hall he reap ; ' he that 
foweth fparingly ; (hall reap fparingly, and he which foweth 
' bountifully, (haJl reap alfo bountifully,' 2 Cor. ix. 6. It 
is in the duty of partaking, as in the duty of praying, the 
more prepared a man's heart is to pray, the greater is his re- 
turns from heaven, P(alnix. 17. * Thou wilt prepare their 

* hearts, thou wilt caufe thine car to hear.' So it may be 
(aid in the cafe of rccicving. Thou wilt prepare the heart, 
thou wilt caufe thine hand to give. When God prepares a 
nan's heart for duty, it is a token he hath a hand prepared 
for mercy. Hence the Lord makes that gracious promife, 
Pi&lm Ixxxi. 10. * Open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.' 
^. d. I will enlarge my hand, as you enlarge your heart. 
He faith, as Jofeph to his fteward, Gen. xliv. i.« Fill the 

* men's facks as much as they can carry/ Sj as Jofeph's 
brethren prepared facks in number and largenefs, fo did 
they carry corn away : And as you bring prepared hea;ts 
to the ordinance, fo (hall you reap benefit thereby. .,9. 
Becaufe of great danger in coming unprepard. If you do 
not fandify aud prepare yourfelves, God will come and do 
wonders of judgment, wonders of wrath, among youiT l^ 
He may indid bodily difeafcs, as J Cor. xi.jo. 2. Hp may 
fend untimely death. 3. He may fmite with defertion 
from God. 4. He may fend darknefs on the mind. 5. 
He may fmite with deadnefs and impenitency on the 
heart. 6. With decaying and withering on the gifts and 
graces. 7. He may fend a leannefs and barrennefs on th^ 
foul. 8. He may fmite with formality and lifeleifnefs i^ 
duty. 9. With fearednefs on the confcieoce, fo as it (hall 
challenge for no fin. 10. I^e may fend hQtt^ ^^ois^. vxxx^x 
on the confcieoce^ fo as to malice it «l mu^^x fscv^^iNs^. ^^ 
He msiy let Salao ioofe aga)iu(l^oumV>^\ftTU^%^>MO»-^'«^ 

Bb 



ctol ?md Marpliemuus Thoughts. 12, He ^may fend yon 

to lirll from the codifnunion ubic, as Mattln xxti* 12, rj, 

' And Kc faitl* unto him^ Frjcnd, hnw cam eft thou iti ht« 

^ * iher^ tif^t having a weddirg gijrme'nt ? And ht was fpctcli^ 

* If C% Then f^id the King' to the fcrTani? bind \\\pn bami 

' * and ffyC'U aitd tske hitn away/ and caft him fnta ou:ef 

-' dark lift fs' 

^ffi. How fhall I fi^t Tnj htart fanfltfied and pr^fjared^ 

fo as J may txpcB the Lord will come and do vtonderi of 

*'■ rgTtice Sot mc to-morrow, jffif. Thrre is a IvfofoJd pre^ 

,*pH ration, bathuaT and aflual ; you mu^ rtiidy both^ and 

ifibJtUHl pre para rion in the firft place. -^^C^* What w 

'IsabiEual preparatton ? -^^/ It hath feveral ingrtdietits ia 

it. T- A covenant relation to God in Cb rifi. z. Aprils 

■ciple of fprritual life» 3. A flate of peace with God. 4, 

*rhe imputation of Chrill's rigHteoufncfs.. 5, Ati univcT- 

'fal clian|:f by regenerating grace. 6, The inhabttation d 

^ ibe Spirit. 7- A holy converfation, 8, The bmp t*f a 

.profefllon. -^f/?- 2* What is atlutst preparation for the 

Xord'i fupper > Anf. 1^ Scqueftrating' qurfclTts from the 

world* 2* Self exanoitiaiion, 3. Humiliation for fiii* 4, 

Renewing of our perfonal covenant with God in Cbrift. 5. 

ilcforrDatron of what is amif';. 6. KxcitSng of all the 

graces to a lively exercife. 7. Meditation on the death 

and fufFerings of ChtiiK 8. Earntll: prayer to God for pre- 

paration andaflTiftance in toe work. — And after your utTnoft 

. pteparanon, you n^uft lay no ftiefs thereon, but cafl your- 

feli wholly on Chril^ for affiflance, faying, * It is only in 

» the Lord 1 have rigbteouftvtfs and ftrength.' We ought 

to be denied to ourf elves, and to look with David to the 

Lord both for affiflance and acceptance, Pfalm lijcj, 16. * I 

' wilfgo in the l\ierfth '.f the Lord, I will uiake roentioil 

* of thy righteoufnefs, even of thine only.* You ought to ] 
imitate King Afa, who, though he had a great army to fight I 
againft the Ethiopians, yet cried to. the Lord, and trufted 1 
in hina alone for help, as you have it recorded, 2 Chron. xir. 
II. * And Afa cried unto the Lord bis God, and faid, 

^ Lord, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many 

* or with them that have no power j help us O Lord^ dur 

*' God J for wjB reft on thee, and in thy name.yve go out a- ' 

^gainH this multitude.* So Vtx. cvwy communicant fay, 

'Lord »U my ftrtagtb attd prt^w^uoti^ ^xt Ti^>aL^\. A Vw^ 

' no po^er for cclcbiatingtVvw £ta1^\ V«\^ m«k^ O \*^\ii^\si'^ 

' Godi for I reft on ihee, %M lu \Xvi xam^A y^^ x^>^v^ 



APPENDIX* ^99 

•great and weighty ordinance.* And If yoa come for- 
ward to-morrow in this felf-dcnitd and fandified frame, 
you have ground to expect that the Lord will do wonders 
of grace and mercy for you. 

m ' 

ACTION SERMON; 

From Canticles ii. 3. He brought me to the banqueting fooufe^ 
and bis banner over me tivas Jove* 

'H'^HE whole of this fong is an allegorical defcription of the 
X myftcrious union and communion betwixt Clirill ajicl hii 
Church, under ihc perlbns of a bridegroom and bride, which is a 
frequent metaphor made ufe of in Seripture. The forty-iifth 
pfalm is an ai.hdgmtnt of this fdng. — In this chapter Chiiil and 
the Church fcems to ftrive who4hall outvie each other in their com- 
mendations. Chrift firft commends, the Chunh, and then the 
Chill ch extols Chrifi. She compares him to the * apple trte among 
* the trees of the wood,* verfe 3. Chrift is a fruit- bearing^ tree, 
but'the children of men are barren trees. And O but his ihaiiow 
is refrclhing, and his fruit fweet to a believer. But as if the iha- 
dow and fruits of an apple tree were too low a fnnile, to fet forth 
liis excellency and goodnefs, (he tells us of the entertainment he 
gives her m the banqueting. houfe, in the text. 

Where we have, i. The place which the Spoufe was broueht 
to, • the banqueting houfe,' or houfe of wine, i. c. of feafting, be- 
caufe wine is a principal part of feafts ; by which we are to un- 
derftand the order, or means, whereby Chrift: conveys his graces 
and bleiiings to believers ; and there is none of all the. ordinances 
of the gofpel that may more fitly be called the banqueting or feaft- 
ixig houfe, than this of the Lord's fupper, which is the great got- 
pel feail wherewith Chrift entertains his people on earth. Ordi- 
nances are called his banqueting houfe, becaufe of the great plen- 
ty, variety, and riches of the bleffings he thereby communicates 
Co his people. 

a. We have the perfon that brings her into this banqueting houfe, 
apd that is Chrift, * HE brought me ;' which ftiews, i. Our want 
of right to thefe bleiiings of ourfelves. All our right is in Chrift* 
». Our impotency td'come to the feafting houfe ; he muft give us 
both ftrength and preparation of foul. 3. Thcfreenefs of his grace 
in beftowing thefe blelTings on us. 

3. The manner how ihe is brought in, and that is under a * ban- 
ner,' ftandard, or enlign. It is a military word ; banners or en- 
figns are ufed in camps and armies. Pfal. xx. 5. • We will re- 
< jeice in thy falvationy and in the name of our God will fet up 
« our banners.* Her march or entry into this feafting houfe was 
joyful and triumphant, fuch as that of people u^de.^ "t^ ^^^^V-^^^ 
bajmcr ; or colours lifted up. CoVout^ ^tt >iS.dv\ \.q ^v« > "vo:^^^ 

B b a 







,300 A F P E N 

erjc^age^ an*! lead people after their c apuln ; and the liftiflg- up ' 
dilpUying of colourf is a figo to invite and dire^ thofc olf fuch 1 
party or fidc^ to come to fucrh a pliicc^ op march fuch a way. Kowi 
what 15 the dtvjce or motto of Chrifl's banner ; not lilcc thofc of 

>, other generali, a- liouj an cagJft^^'- hut LOVE* ^ he Iotc of 1 
Ciucitie d JefLis is like a 1 manner &¥h;d tip and d'ifpUyed in the gof^ 
pel fcr invitmg ajid en^gmg ilnnera to come to ]iiin. Love is 
the banner tliat Chi i ft ilfts up and difplayft this diy, to engage yoo 
i to come lo him, a»d lift yourfd^es under hia banner. Love m 
ihjt which Iradn to thcf hanqtieting houifi aB^d furiujQiet provi&oE 
and eititenairimt-nt for tis thertf. 

Ohftrve I* '1 bat Chrift has rich fcafts in the ordinances for ca- 

.1 tfrtftining hispeople'a ioaU 

. * Ih 1 Jiat tiie bauuer M-hick ChriH dlfplays for drawmg ais to hiifl, 
is Love* 

As to the iir0, I fhall Aew, 1 That Chnfl in the ordioancca 
doth provide fea^'ls fVr kis propk's fouU* 1 That the Lord's Alp* 
per in p^irticular i% oive prmcipal fealt that he prc^pares for thexos 
J- Why he pfcpjr-rs Aich a fealL 4, Shall apply* 

As to the Jirft, ct IB evtdent, t. From God s promlfeto Tiis 
pie, PfaL xxxyU ''' ' lliey iliall be abundai^tly fatisfied with 

* fat lit ih of thy hpufe* and tbou flialt make them dnjik of the 

* ver of thy plcafunet.' Ifaiah xScr. 6. ♦ And in this mountain ih ill 
*■ the Lord of HoU,s m^kt unto nil people* a fc-afi of fat things* a 

* feaft of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of \nncs 
< on the Ices well refined.' This proinife is concerning the gof- 
pel times. — From Prov. ix. 1. where * Wifdom, ' f . <•• Chrift, is laid 
to have ' killed her beails, mingled her wine , and fumiihed Iter 
table.' — ^And, to name no more, from Luke xv« where^thc £uher 
prepares the fatted calf for his penitent prodigal. 

2. From the experience of God's people, as of David, P(aL !▼• 
.6. Ixiii. 5. and Ixv. a* and, particularly from the experience of. the 
Church in the text, God's people can fet to their feal to this truth. 

As to the fecond head. That the Lord's fuppcr is one principal 
fcail, which the Lord prepares for his people. Wherefore i( is 
called tite table of the Lord, i Cor. x< ii. It Is called * a feaft 
on the facrifice of Chrift,' i Cor, v.. 7, 8. * a wedding feaft,' 
Matth. xxiii. «. In thefe places the Lord's fupper is principally 
pointed at^=— I fhall here fnew wherein the Lord s fupper refemblet 
a feaft ; yea, it is not an ordinary feaft, it is a rich, royal, arid 
magnificent feaft. , 

J . At a feaft there is rich and noble provifion. So here there is 
more than bread and wine, even the body and blood of Chrift, 

* my flefli is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed,' John vi« 
55 What bread and win.- alFord to the body, viz. ftrength, com- 
fcrt, and nourifhment, the fame doth the body and blood of Chrift, 
y-ece'ived by faith, yield to the foul. Here is fpiritual food to the 

hungry foal, bread that ftreUg>thct^» max\'s\it2ic\.^ wAVvftt ^^\. 
hcers the fainting fpirits. Beli^old Yi«c\ft niM^^^ V^\3t^ ^^ 



APPENDIX. 3^1 

' wifdomV fcaft. It is goad for us to be here, good to \/ait at lier 
door pofts. Here the breafts of confolation are drawn forth, here 
vre may fuck and be fatisfied. Here the fountain of life, and the 
wells of falvation are opened, the fcone rolled ftom the well's 
mouth. — H«^re is the hidden manna, anjjel's food, bread from hea- , 
vcn, yea the fruits of the tree of life, tiiat grows in niidft of the 
paradife of Gbd. Here is the water of life, that fprinj^s from be- 
neath the throne of God and the Lamb, clear as cry Hal ; if you 
get but one drop of it, it fhaJl be an everlafting fpring in your iou!^ 
•fo that you need not thirft after carnal comforts and enjoyments. 
Here are the grapes of Canaan, the fruits that grow in the hnd of 
promife; yea clufters of thefe grapes are at this feaft, the firil 
fruits of heaven In a word, there is at this fpintual feaft for the 
foul to feed on, Chrift crucified, and all his benefits an I purcliafe: 
And are there not many diflies and delicacies here ? 

r. Here is pardon of fin fealed to a believer. *0 is not t^is a 
rare feaft and excellent cheer, Math.ix. 2. ' Be of good cheer, thy 
** fins are forgiven thee.* Here yoii get Chrift's blood, which wa» 
ihed for many,- for the remiffion of fins. Here we clafp about ,\ 
cruciAed Chrift as the great propitiatory facrifice for our fins, and 
accept of him as the Lord our Righteoufntfs ; and thus we receive 
the remjflion of fins. Here Go'd faith to a believer, as Nathan to 
David, a Sam. xii. 13. « The Lord hath put away thy fins, thou 
* fhalt not die.' Here we hear the voice of joy and gladnefs, which 
hath raade many a broken bone to rejoice. Is there any thing- 
mori" fweet than pardoa to a condemned man lear the place of 
execution ? And what can give more joy, than a free difchskrge to - 
a finner arrefted by juftice, and drawn to hell's door to be caft iiv- 
to that prilbn for debt, out of which there is no redemption. 

2. We have peace and friendfhip with God ; O rare diih ! not 
only to be freed of a burden of debt, that would have weighed us 
down to hell; and for which millions already have been carried 
tnither, and are roaring under it without hope ; but alfo to be. re- 
ceived mto fpccial favour with God : For in this facrament a cove- 
nant of peace and friendfhip is fealed and confirmed. P muft it 
•not be a fweet cordial for an enemy, a rebel, to be owned as a fpc- 
cial favourite of the King of Heaven, ib that tlic foul may fendl'a 
challenge to hell and earth, and bid defiance to men and devils, . 
Horn. viii. 33, 34- < Who fhalllay any thing to the charge of God'« 

< ele^ft ? it is God that juftifieth, who is he that condcnintth ? It 
*'ia Chrift that died, yv:a rather, that is rifen again, who is- even at 

' * the. right hand of God, who alfo maketh ihterceffiori for as.' 
And you may fay with David, Pfal. iv- 8. * I will bDth lay ,me 

< down in peace, and ileep: For thou, Lord, only makeftme to 
dwt 11 in fafeiiy.' Come life, come death, I an> fafe ; my.confct* 

' lence is diibtirdened, and 1 am at eafe. 

J. Adoption is another of the Aiftit% ilX. V)Div%^e:aJ^ "^tpi. «». t«>v 
only wudc d friend, but afoti aud Vieit \ acai.'va^v^^^^'^^'^^'^ 
got fcafme and infeftment of the cYivVdstTv % ^t vn ^S^^*^^^'^='=*^'' 



302 APPENDIX. 

i nhsritancc. And here God faith, I will be a Fath<y to thee ; and^ 
Ton, tliou fhalt be ever with me, and all that I have is thine. Thoa 
Iha'it have my blefiiiig and love, the fmiles of my face* the kiilet 
of my mouth, and the arms of my grace to fupport and preferve 
thee. Thou (halt have my Son foe thy elder brother, thy prieftf 
and advocate ; my angeb to be xhy guards ; my providence to be 
thy protcdior and manager. Thou (halt have manna in the 
wildcrnefs, and water out of the rock. Thou flialt be my hdr, 
and joint- heir with my eternal Son and firft bom. Thou ihalt 
have heaven for thy home, Chrift's throne for thy feat, and a king- 
dom for thy portion ; an honourable maintenance whife here, and 
an incorruptible inheritance hereafter. 

4. Another diih is peace of confcience. This is one of the pre^ 
cious legacies which Chrift leaves in his teftament, which is her^ 
fealed, John xiv. 27. It is here Chrift fpeaks peace to hit people 
and to his faint's, here he breathes peace upon them,, as in Luke 
xxiv. 36. l>o doubts and fears arife within you, that hinders yoii 
to believe the good news, as with the difciples ; fo there is tnat 
in this facrament which may check all thefe fears. Luke zxiy. 
38, 39. * Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arife in your 
* hearts ? Behold my hands and my feet, that it i» I myfelf; 
< handle me and fee,' &c. O but the prints of the nails may calm 
the doubting confcience, and quiet thy fears. 

5. Supplies and ftrength to our weak and decayed graces. Here 
Chrift's llore-houfe is opened, and we may get grace for grace out 
cf his fulnefs ; here the fmoaking flax may be kindled into a fame, 
and the bruifed reed find fupport ; here you may get weak faith 
ilrengthcned, cold love enflamed, weak defire kindled, repentance 
renewed, hope made lively, the foul fitted and fortified for trials 
and fufTcrings, and prepared for paffing through the valley of the 
ihadow of death : Yea, in a word, you may get all your wants fupi- 
plied, all your grievajices redrefled, and maladies, remedied. Here 
you may get a meal that will both fatisfy, and beget a flomach in 
you, that will prove life to your fouls, and poifon to your lufls. It 
is here the empty foul is filled, the ftarving creature fed, the pocr 
beggar enriched, the hard heart foftened, the cold heart warmed, 
the dead foul quickened, the paralytic hand cured> the blind eye 
tnlighteucd, the tliirfly heart fatisfied, the feeble knees ftrengthen- 
ed, the ftraitencd heait enlarged, the wandering heart fixed, the 

-.creeping defircs ekvated, the cloudy foul brightened, and the 
doubting foul refolved. O are not thefe gracious and blefTed 
changes ! Here you may get flrength againft your flrong lufia 
and temptations, and furniture for every duty, fo as you may pray 
with enlargement, hear with comfort, praife with elevation of 
mind, and meditate with delight. 

6. Here is Chrift's gracious preftnce, and a fight of his countc- 
nsuice } that is a rare delicate in v\vvs ie^ft., vV^x. ^-aXv&^t^ ihe foul, 

F/aL xvL ult. * In thy prefcnce \s iuXxvd^ o^^<^^> \>:v^x >«"&.*> >^t. 
Flhhnik's ijeaven upon cait\u It \a \vtt^ CWA\. v^^ \^\i^v>ttis, 



APPENDIX. 



303 



people, here he walks with them, and is held by them in the gal- 
leries ; here he vifits them, and holds communion with them, ixv 
timates his love, and kiifes them with th« kilTes of his m»utb. 
Here they fee the King in his btauty, here the faints have beheld 
the beauty of the Lord, Pfal. xxvii. 4. O this is worth our while. 
O let it be our errand this day to meet with Chrift, and fee his 
blefTed face. God's people in all ages have placed their happinefs 
here. Abraham rejoiced in a fight of Chrilt, thoughafar off, at 
190* years diftance. 7 he wife men thought it worth their while 
to undertake a long journey from the eail to fee him, though but 
new born. Old Simeon defires to fee no more on earth, after he 
gets a fight of him, though a child. Zacheus ran and climed up 
SL tree to fee him, though defpifed of men. O now he is fliining 
in glory, fliall we not defire a fight of him ? David defired it as 
his *one thing,* Pfal. xxvii. though he then wanted his throne 
and kingdom. The Spoufe feeks it as her one thing. Cant. iii. 3. 

* Saw ye him whom my foul loveth V O but a fight of- him would 
make your face to (hine, a fight of hini in his love^-iuhis dyed 
garments, treading out the wiue-prefs alone. 

7. Another diih is the comfort of his Spirit, and the clearing up 
your intereft in Chrift and glory, a fight of heaven, and your 
names written in the book of life, fo that all your fears may be 
fcattered, objections anfwered, doubts refolved, and likewife the 
evidences of your graces cleared up to you, fo that though you 
doubted before if you had faith, yet now you may be enabled to 
fay with the poor man, * Lord, I believe.' You deubted before of 
trour love, but now you may fay with Peter, * Lord, thou that 
knoweft.all things, knoweft that I love thee.' You doubted before 
of your intereft in Chrift, but now you can fay with Thomas, * My 
Lord, and my God ;' with Job, I know that my Redeemer liveth/ 

* and with Paul, * I know in whom 1 have believed.' 

Thus have I fliewn you fome of the rich provifion and noble en- 
tertainment prepared in this banquet before you : Yea, you fee ^ 
It is not only rich provifion, but thei:e are choice rarities here, hid- 
den maana, angel's food ; yea,, not only chodce, but plenty and 
variety, Ibod adapted to our foulfr' nature and faculties ; food to 
nouriih, ftrengthen, delight, and refrefh the foul. Here is food 
fuitable to all the faculties ; light to the mind, peace to the confci- 
cnce, fatis£a<5lion to the will, and food for ail the aifedtions. Here 
love may fatisfy itfelf in embracing the chief among ten.. thoufands. 
Defire may fatisfy itfelf in clafping the defire of all nations. De- 
light may here bathe itfelf in the river of pleafure. In a word, 
what can the foul need but is here P for Chrift is made of God to 
u« wifdom, righteoufnefs, fandlificatym,^ and redemption. Her^ 
is precions blood to purge away our deep, guilt ; here is perfedt 
righteoufnefs to cover our naked fouls ;. here are riches, and un- 
fearchable riches in Chrift, righteoufuefe fox <i\tt \>3S6Sy;.^vsyvn vc^ 
^7«ce for our /aniflification ; here jlJI tKm%;& Mt ^'^QXi\»'t^s5^ N 
tnjoyj bare hope nwy ftcd •& the gr^^iX Wk^ ^T^.Osa\» ^Q^ss^'^-^ 



304 A P P E N D I X. 

adiy, Al feafts there ufed to be lav^rs for the guclb to wafa in, 
fts the inania^c-fcall in Cana of Galilee, wncre were lix water pots 
fet for p'Jiit'-.atioii, John ii. 6. Doth lenic of dciilemcnt fear you 
from partaking f Jtki:old here is a fountain opened, /fech. x:iL i. 
O come and wafh in it, tnat yc may be lit to cumpais God's altar, 
and lit down at his table. 

3uly) At banquets tiiere ufes to be mirth and chearfulnefsi fo 
here, when prodigal linncrs firlt return to their father, . e hm 
mirth ami niuiic to t-nttTtain them, ice JUuke x>r. 24. 'j; he tidings 
of Chriil'fe purchafe, and the promii'es, are the belt muiic ana me- 
lody in the world ; the news of what iie had done and fullered, 
ought to fill your hearts and lips wiih tiie hij;n prailes of Gcxi, 
and thankful admiration o^ Chnit, and redeeming love. O beJi- 
vers, coiifidcr you are not to come like mourners to a iuneral, but 
like children to your lather's fcall, a royal itrait. • 1 will bring 

* them to my holy mountain, and make tnem joyful in my houlc 

* of prayer, faith the Lord :' So that ye may cat tiiis bread wo 
joy, and urink this wine with a merry heart, in hopes of God « 
accepting you and your facriike, iicclei^ ix. 7. 

4thly, At fealis tlierc is the niaitcr of the fcafl ; to bid the 
guelts welcome, as ready as the father to welcome the prodigal 
child. Chrill is tiie mailer of this ieait ; he hatn J'ent lortj'i iiii 
fervants, to call and invite you to the fealt, and now he is com; 
to the table to bid you welcome, as in Cant. v. 1. * Jciat, O fricnu-. 

* drink, yea drink abundantly, O beloved.* 

5thlv, At fcalls lucre are fervants to attend the gUcfts, here 
the miiiiltcrs arc llcwards and fervants to atiend Chriii s guciti! at 
this fealt ; and clicir work is to direct you to tiie table, and to ^'ivc 
every one their portion of meat in ciuc feaion. God ^ra:i: -.ve^iv.- 'l 
not tiie cjiiMr-.'n'b bivTrid to (ioj;s, and them tiiat have jio rijriit lu ii. * 
We know not tlie licart, ye ail have pi-oieiicd youxielves 10. n- \ 
children, O do not mock God and his ici vants. I 

6l"!ily, llcic is a blehing crav d by tiie inaiitT of this feaft ; yea, | 
he has coii)m?.ndcd, and will command tiie bieiiing, and nia i^r- 
vants arc to pi ay for tiit virlue of that blcnin^ 10 tuiS laLilc. 

;thly, At a r^-ll there ib good company. O there iS rare com- 
pany at thiS fcaft. * 1 lie iving fits at his table,' v,aiU. i. 12. tvtn | 
the King of GLory. Chrilt lamilli is there prei^nt, and the t-'a- i 
thcr alio ; for in tiiis fealt we have lehcvvinip W:in the i-'athcr ami ' 
the Soil, through tiic iioiy opirit. Kcie ilvc cr.ikUcn of ood, yt-a 
the glorious faints above lit at tins tabic, aiitl f.i.irc with us in tma 
feaft. it in crut, they fit at the iiYi\)\:r eiia oi t;iL taoie, and we at 
tiie lower end. 'Ih'.y have better iippetitef, ovtur muhc ; uny 
feed on a naked Chiift, we by 1;^*;-, and fyiiibuis ; but we have- 
all the fame crieer. O v.hat a g ed aiKl ^...nl cv)i.ii.c;iiy ,s here ! 
—We rend oi Lelfiia'/iiar tnat ii.ac-.e a i\ii.n lor a t-ioiiu'uti oi , i^ 
Jon.s, JJ3.J1 V. I. iiui heie is nua'AioT mtLwv vlwovAwwv*^ \ca, to 
a// bJicvtrSn Jew a and Gcnliks, «)lti o\><;tv ^Ix^'c ^.c\v., Vi^, iww^, !^i«^ 



APPENDIX. 30J 

we read that Ahafuerus made a feaft to all his princes and fervantt 
•which lafted one hundred and eighty days. Elth. i. 4. But here 
is a feaft which lafts to all eternity. 

IIT. As to the third head, why he prepare's fiich a feaft for hir 
people P uin/. i. To be a folemn memorial of his love to finner^^ 
in iuifering and dying for them $ and this memorial is to be kept 
up through all generations till Chrift's fecond coming. Juft fo the 
paflbver was a commemorating feaft to the Ifraelites of their pro- 
te<ftion and deliverance from the bondage of £gypt. 

% To dffcover his infinite riches and goodnefs to poor finners. 
So Ahafuerus^ £fth. i. 3, 4. < made a feaft to all his princes and 
• fervants, to Ihew them the riches of his excellent majefty.* 

^' To exprefs the joy and fatisfaAion he hath in the believer's 
coming to him. The father of the prodigal evidenced his joy for 
the return of his fon (who -was dead and now alive, loft and found) 
by a feaft and mufic. O believers, this is the day of the gladnefs 
or Chrift's heart ; glad is he to fee his prodigals returning, and thia 
feaft is the welcome home. 

~ 4. To exprefs his love to believers, and that he might have op- 
portunity of nearer communion and fellow ftiip with them. At 
leafts people have great freedom and familiarity with one another, 
imutualexpreflionsof kindncfs, communicating of fct rets, rejoicing 
in one another. O but many a poor foul has been ravilhed with 
Chrift's love here, and with the wine of his confolation ; he hath 
xnade rare difcovcries of his love to them. 

5. To ratify and confirm the covenant between God and us. It 
was ufual in the eaftern countries to ratify contiads and covenants 
by eating and drinking together. So it was in the covenant made 
between Ifaac and Abimelech, fee Gen. xxvi. a 8, 30. And fo it 
was a fccderal rite between Laban and Jacob, Gen. xxxi. 46. be- 
tween the Ifraelites and Gibeonites, Jolhua ix. 1 4. between David 
md Abner, 2 Sam. iii. 20. Confider then, this is a covenanting 
feaft, here a folemn bargain between God and us is fealed and ra- 
tified. What is the bargain ? See the tenor of the covenant, Ads 
xvi. 3% « Believe on the Lordjefus Chrift, and thou Ihalt be fa- 
vtd.' Here we engage to believe in Chrift, and Chrift engages to 
fave us. Here God promifcs to be to us a Go J, and we promife 
to be to him a people. Here God promifes and feals the benefits 
of the covenant on his part, and we promife and feal the duties, of 
the covenant on our part. Here God's giving the figns is a feal 
on: his part, and our taking them is a feal on ours. Here Chrift 
gives us his foul and body to fave us, and we give our fouls and 
bodies to ferve him. Here God binds himfelt to be faithful, and 
we bind ourfelves to be conftant. Yea, wc here fwear allegiance 
to Chrift over his broken body and flie<l blood. 

6. To be a cordial to his poor fainting ones, and for ftrengthen- 
ing the weak and feeble of his people. Maxv^ oC \v\s "^^^^ -^^ 
fore ca/i down, and have dwelt long \»\0^ ^c^lts ^xAVwto^^N "^^^ 
tbis ia a relief to them, here Chrift fim\w> ^Il^ ^^liNta -^j^as.'^- "^ 



APPENDIX- 

j^lCTi *rr weak in grAce, here he brings tiicm fupplks, bcir tlit is- 
^ytd bivc rtucwejA their ftrt«gtli, here Ujc lame hav<e bwn nui< 
to leap M an hart, and the ton^e of the dumb to ting. 

7- To fortify aii4 eOLonrage a^nft all ciificiihif^s and triais ure 
iDiv me«t vfith in ChrtJk^i fervicc- We ^rc to look fof tcproadia 
ifid perlecutionsj if we hgl4 faJl hy CitrifL Satan md tUe wnxli 
will (lot be UUe, feir Heb* Xp ji. Htre b a meaJ ajid cordial io 
lieart^n us from it; and fomc bsve met Mriih rb^t in this fii^ 
which hath made diem cheerfnOf venture ofi fuifvriiigsj and tis 
folvc never to kave CltriJt- An hoar offending ininjal.s tJic M 
for an hour of fu it ring* If the Kc<ieemcr fmilc on ua, anil liis 
love be Ihed abroad in our hearts, u'c can bear any thingj fufik 
any EhiQgi bfe any ttiln^i and not be difcoura^d. O then cornCf 
ind take in provifion igainil the evil day, for ye have a wildemeii 
tp go through. Elijili wtts excited to take a double coud, for bii 
jouiney ivas long, So if you would have Iti-en^h for your j*3*ir- 
ucy, () here ytu may ha^e it | here is food more fubfiJling^ dur- 
able, and noirrifhing than Elijah's cake arid cniic of wakfi of 
■which he eat and drank, and in the ilrength of that meal weBt 
li&rty days and forty njghtSj imto Horeh the mount of God, t Kisip 
six.* 6, ?. What bread and win^ afibtd to the body, the f^me 
doth ChriU's body ;ind blood in the facrament^ r^^ceivcd by faiih^ 
albtd to the foid, vk* ftretigthcmng, eomf* rtin^ nouridimen^ 
And who but a madman wouJd be h cruel to himielf, asi to deny 
his faint body its ffafed meals 3Aid reliefs ? O may it not heartea 
you, th^t -HhaLevsr your ft raits, bodily vrwitfi or nece ill tics arCj. 
aijd. however you m*y be defpifcd, you haye a gre^t King that 
boneU'^a yoi!, owns you, takes you to fcafl with hlmfeL*" Iiere, and 
will Oiortjy call yo\i to the marriage fupper of the Lamb above, 

8. 1 o wean you -from the vain pleaiiirea and comforts of the 
world J STid from fcnfiisi delights ; *ind to make you bng for that 
glorious an<S full feafl above* Thia ifi a foreiafte of,it> and fhf^jMd^ 
l\}r up a huugcr for it \ for this feaA U the firft fnijts of heaven. 

Improvement I.*^! infer what a horrid cilumriy it ht that Ii 
raifed aj^^infl the %s^ay3 of Clirj^ by xh^ devil and the world, that 
they Kic hd and -^rt:ini:!Loly, of purpofc to frig lit Tnen from them, 
Wo, you fee Chriti has royal feafts for his people* the world knowt 
little of. A believer would not give ^ crurabuof this ipirttual fcaft 
for many days of wrrldly feafts. . ^ 

II. Admire his condefcenfion, that the JLord of glory (houfd 
make fuch a feaft for ttfJggart, fee Luke xiv* itT. Fooir worms, 
vile finners, will he call us, that deferyc sot a dog's cnao&.beneatii 
the table? to come and fit down with th^ children ftt^tb&ubk? 
O what are we that he ihould deal ib with us, (inner? vik as the 
mire, and black asiell. You have far greater catffe to wonder at 
this privilege than Mephiboflicth, a Sam. ix. 7. * David iaid to 
' ihn, I wnl ilirely fhew thee kmdtveC« for Jonathan thy father'! 
^Ikke, and will rcftoK tkecriiltiMi \a^^cA§>^\iVA^^ i«^^ «A 
* thoa Jhak eat bre*d at my Ub\^ coivVMoawSLii «JLfcL^«.\aa *aS.^s«t^ 



Tiat IS thy fervant, that thou Ihouldft look upon fuch a dead 
as T am? 

1. How inexcufable are they who flight this fcaft, that has coil; 
if> fo dear, more than ten thoufand kingdoms ? He has made 
hings ready, and has been calhng fmncrs to come. Confidcr 
' grievoufly the k^ng took it, when he made his marriage fup- 
and thofe that were bidden would not come, Luke xiv» 

V. Exhortation. O communicants who have been preparing 
thin feaft, come away to the marriage, all things are ready on 
ift's part. Obj\ But how fhall I get accefs to the banqueting 
fe ? j^nf. Employ Chrift to bring you in. It is he alone that 
gs his Spoufe m. You may come to the table, and get the 
vard elements, but unlefs Chrift bring you in to the banqueting 
fe, ye will not be taken in. It is only Chrift that can give you 
elites, and clothe you with the wediUng garment ; it is only 
hat can quicken the dead foul, and ftrengthen the weak, * I 
n do all things through Chrift ftrengthening me,' faith Paul. 
only can fend the Comforter, the north and Ibuth gales of the 
•it. He only can remove the burden of fin, and take away the 
:t of ftone, difolvc doubts and fcatter clouds. O look and 
J for him then to bring you in, and fay with thofe in John xi. 
* What think yc, wil he come to the feaft?* will he bring 
into the banqueting houfe ? will he touch my heart and take 
by the hand ? Poor finner, I'll tell you whom he will bring in. 
s true, it is not every one, many come thronging to the feaft that 
e no ground to expe(5l to be taken in. But there are fome he 
I bring in, and they arc thefc : i. The hungry and thirfty fin- 
that is longing for a meeting with Chrift, fenfiblc of his needs 
wants, and crying, O a crumb from his hand, a drop from hm 
jnds, a feal of pardon from that table, elfc I die. Thefe have a 
mife to be filled. ». The poor, broken-hearted, humbled foul, 
t has a deep fenfe of his own nothiagnefs, and unworthinefs, 
.ne, I am noteworthy that Chrift/ ihould come under my roof, 
t tdx left worthy that I Ihould coihe under Chrift's roof, my fins 
fo many and great Is there any ftanding afar off with the 
>lii an, afraid to come to the holy tabic, faying, * God be mcr- 
il to me a finntr,' Chrift will come to fuch, Ifa Ivii. 15. < He 
ill revive thefpirit of the humble, and the heart of the contrite 
8.' 3. The poor praying and wreftling foul, that has been put- 
r up many a petition, figh, and groan for accefs, faying, • Othat 
knew where to find him!' O when wilt thou come unto me, 
V long wilt thou hide thy face ? O have ye been ftorming hea- 
. with your cries laft week, laft night, and this morning ? Have 
bctn knocking for the opcninjp; of the door of the banqueting 
ife ? he will come and bring luch in.' 4. All the friends and 
jrs of Chrift will be taken in. O finner, art thou fuch^ fee tK^ 
T^nt and thy welcome. Cant v. 1. O ^^.^ ^OTB!t,\cMMssiO«. 
d to Chrilt i but I wifli him we^j ^\x^ "^"i ^aop^ ^^^'\ssX« 



A P F E N D I X, 

Pf cannot l^y 1 4m i true bver of Chrift ; but I find my Kcirt gbv* 
[iKig and wij-muig lyitlt defire to him, and I wpiiild giv* ill the 
□lid I had theft glawitigs kindled Into a flame. Take cfwra^e, 
>or foul- Chrlft will not quench ihe fitio*^kmg: flas, he will bbw 
: up into a flame, and take thee in. %* Ail fine ere coveniuiiDj 
S|buk> ih«t have been yefltrnight and this m<jrniTJg honeaiy ctm- 
lenling to the bargain offered in the gofpel, content to cloJe witk 
Chrifl a» he offers bimielf, to renounee their idolw and luflii, andtfl 

S'vc Chriftlhrir hearts. Is there any foul willing to open to ChriJl; 
then ht will take you in,^ Rev, in %o* * If any man open liie 
^^door^ I will come in to him, and will fup with him, and be 
■ M'Uh mc/ O poor finntr$* that never opened your hearts to 
'Clhrlft, be perfaadcd to open to a bountiful Lord : open yoiir heaiti 
to hiip> and he will opt n bi$ binqueting houfc to you* O (inner, 
haft thou no need of Chrift^s dainties ; art thou not a poor periQiing, 
ftarvine: foul* a famifhed prodigal, and ncedeit thou not the br^^ad 
of lifr r Chrif\ i 5 at the door with variety of bleSing^, and ready to 
open his banqueting houfc to you* O will ye open ro him ? Con- 
fider that if ye do not accept of Chrift, he may pafe fuch a fentence 
againit you, as in Luke xiv, 14. ' For I fay unto you, that none of 
. * thefe men which were bidden fliall tafte nf my fupper.' O will 
it not be drtMdful to fee the faints fitting at the royal feaJl in hea- 
Tcn, and you yourfclvea ftut out, like a company of ftarvin^ heg^* 
gars J (landing about the doors where the marriage fuppi^r is kept ? 
they ft-e the lights, and behold the rich difhts carried up, they 
hear the mirth and mufic of the guefts, but not a bit comes to their 
fliare. 

But as for you that are content to accept of Chrift on his own 
terms, conie away to the marriage-fuppery Chrift the mafter of the 
feaft invites you, and wiU make you welcome. And m coining to 
this feaft obfcrve the following diredlions J ' V ' 

I. Come with holy awe and reverence of God, the mafter and 
maker of this feaft. If ye were going to a prince's table^ yon 
would have fame awe upon your fpurits ; mind the mafter of thit 
feaft is a glorious, holy, and jealous God, that will not be mockp 
«d.. • ' "■ 

a. Come 'w^th.a pure heart and clean hands ; walh your hearts 
in the tears of true repentance, jpurge them of all filth, through the 
blood of Jefus, which cleanfeth from' all fins, otherways you*ll af- - 
front the mafter of this feaft. Should a beggar that has been wal- 
lowing in a puddle, intrude himfelf in that condition into a prince's 
company, fit down at his table, and dip his befmeared hands into 
the fame difli with him. How would he take it ? O come not with 
filUiy rags and filthy hands to his holy table, but repent of every 
fin, renounce every fin, and refolve againft every fin. 

3. Come with a holy fear and jealoufy over yourfelves, afraid 
that ye be not ready. Cry, Lord, let me not wrong Chrift or my 
own foul this day ! O let me notVUvj >i3[it ^w ck£ G<id with a 
Jcid ! O let me not murder Cht\ilt ot ta^ wnx^<^\3^» <LQ.Tto^>fiv.\J>«A 



A.P P E ^^D I X. 3©^ 

g^iihinefs, cr drink damnation. O "what if I want Ific wedding 
garment when the King comes in to view the guefta ! 

4. Come with a broken and bleeding heart to vi:w the ilain 
Lamb. O will not the dying groans and bleeding wounds of Chrift 
move you ? When you fee him Ibretchedout and nailed, will ye 
sot cry, O behold my Saviour that was nailed for me, dying with 
love in his heart, and fmiles in his face ; O it was my iins^ drove 
In thefc nails. Remember, the fun veiled his face in the time of 
Clurift's fufferings, fainted at the fight, and could not look ; O 
veil ymirs, retire inwardly, and take amends of fin the eaufe of his 
fufTerings. 

5. Have on the wedding garment, viz. faith in a Redeemer's 
righteoufnefs. Come relying on him for acceptance, and look to 
hmi for (Irength and furniture : Look up to him, O dead foul, 
for life and -quickening. How unfeemly will it be to fee a compa- 
ny of dead corpfe fet down to the feaft of the living God ? O be 
ailing faith in a lively manner on Chrift, for faith is the life of 
all : O come reach hither thy finger, and behold Chrift's hands ; 
reach hither thy hand, and feel the print of the rfails, and mark 
of the fpear, and cry witli Thomas, ' My Lord, and my God ; 

ihcre 1 will reft, and here I will ftay.' Tn the clefts of his wounds 
ly foul will fhelter, where jufdce ihall not reach me, 

6. Come with love, for it is a love feaft. O love Chrift that is ' 
|>oth the mafter^ the maker, and matter of the feaft. Chrift's heart 
is bleeding and burning with love to you, O let yours do fo to 
him. Without love ye have nothing to do here. Come alfo- 
with love and charity to all men, be ready to forgive every one, as 
yi woukl have God to forgive you. 

7. Come wich panting and thiifting defircs, to fee and meet ' 
with Chrift, faying, I care not who be here, if Chrift be abfent. O 
the defire of my foul is towards him, and the remembrance of his • 

•same. 

8. Come with expedlation, depending only on Chrift's meri^*- 
God's promifes, and free mercy in Chrift, greedily expedling^ 
fomething from Chrift this day ; as the poorcripple man did from 
Ptter and John, Adls iii. 4, 5. * And Feter faftening his eyes up- ^ 
* on him> with. John, faid. Look on us. And he gave heed unto 

^ them, cxpedling to receive fomtthing of them.' We ordinarily " 
•receive little, becauic we expeA little. O raife your defires and . 
ejq)e(^ations> for ye come to a merciful and a liberal God> that 
will not let the expectation of the poorperifh, Pfal ix. 18. 

9. Come refigning yourfelves to Chrift. Give up your hearts < 
to Chrift, faying. Lord, 1 have no facrifice to bring but my heart,: 
O that it were a thoufand times better than it is, it fhould be thine; 
ILar&f accept of this poor iiicrifice. 

10. Come with admiration and praife. O the high praifes of 
God fliould be in' our mouths : Wonder «nd^t^\^^ Q^^^sc "Qca. 
coatrivsLnce of our redemption, and ior xn^^Vvcw^ Osvavtt ^Wai^ > 

Ridcctacr. O w«aidcr and praife our ^^A^txasx l^\«*JwV»! 



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JUN 1 5 mi)